NBA rumors: Heat want ASAP resolution to Giannis Antetokounmpo trade due to possible Kawhi Leonard pivot

As rumors surround the Miami Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the resolution to the whole saga likely coming ahead of Tuesday night’s start to the 2026 NBA Draft, it’s not set in stone that the superstar is taking his talents to South Beach. With the Heat as the finalists for Antetokounmpo to go along with the Boston Celtics, Miami’s backup plan could also take effect immediately.

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been reported before to be one of Miami’s backup options if they don’t land Antetokounmpo, but it seems that the team wants to know by Monday night if their efforts will be futile.

With Tuesday being the start of the NBA Draft and Miami having a lottery pick at No. 13, that could be in a package for Leonard, if not for Antetokounmpo, as said by ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel when talking about the Heat’s potential plans.

“Should the Heat miss out on Giannis, and he is instead traded to the Celtics, then Miami would immediately pivot to trying to trade for Kawhi Leonard,” Siegel wrote. “Along with their Tyler Herro-Kel’el Ware trade package being offered to the Bucks, the Heat also have the 13th pick in this year’s draft, which would potentially give Los Angeles another lottery pick.”

“Sources say the Heat want a decision on their Giannis pursuit before the end of Monday night, so they know whether they need to pivot hard before the draft to Leonard,” Siegel continued.

The Heat and Celtics are finalists for Giannis Antetokounmpo 

The Heat could be gunning for Leonard starting tonight, if the Bucks let them know that they will take a Celtics offer for Antetokounmpo. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, as he appeared on “Get Up” on Monday morning, a Boston trade package for Antetokounmpo would feature star player Jaylen Brown.

The expected build of a Miami package would include ‘significant’ draft capital, including the No. 13 pick on Tuesday, with Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and maybe more.

According to @shamscharania, a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade will be coming before the NBA draft tomorrow pic.twitter.com/zj7ik38yLD

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 22, 2026

It remains to be seen what Milwaukee decides to do and how the Heat will operate.

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