Giannis Antetokounmpo officially joins Miami Heat, vows championship chase

Two‑time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat in early July 2026 and formally presented on July 16 at the Kaseya Center. He said the move was driven by a desire to “do whatever it takes to win” and to compete for multiple championships, emphasizing that the Heat’s culture of pressure and hard work suits him.

Antetokounmpo explained that he changed his jersey number from 34 to 7 out of respect for his former franchise and to start a new chapter. He cited Lionel Messi’s longevity and discipline as a personal inspiration, and he noted that Pat Riley hinted at further big‑player moves for Miami. The introduction was marked by light‑hearted moments, including a locker‑room snack basket presented by teammate Bam Adebayo.

The blockbuster trade, which also sent Bobby Portis to Miami and brought Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware and draft picks to Milwaukee, is seen as a major roster shift that puts the Heat in strong contention for the NBA title.