Heat keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo on radar

The Heat haven’t been shy about keeping themselves in the Giannis Antetokounmpo conversation, even if the Bucks star keeps saying he wants to make things work in Milwaukee.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that Antetokounmpo’s management group went as far as running the math on how playing in a no-income-tax state such as Florida would affect his long-term earnings. Dallas was explored too, back when Luka Doncic was still there.

Miami’s recent decisions only added fuel. When the Heat declined to include Kel’el Ware in talks for Kevin Durant this summer — and likewise refused to bundle Ware with Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic and the No. 20 pick — rival teams read it as a signal. Miami wasn’t hoarding assets for Durant.

They were saving ammunition for someone younger and closer to his prime.

And in this league, that’s usually code for keeping the door cracked for Giannis.