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Apr 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
This NBA offseason was filled with twists and turns. One was Giannis Antetokounmpo heading to the Miami Heat.
Antetokounmpo obviously had a stellar career with the Milwaukee Bucks, one that filled up highlight reels. But, that also made him a huge trade chip.
So, during the offseason, the Heat acquired Antetokounmpo from the Bucks in exchange for a whopping five future picks and four players. What will that do for the Heat in the short term? Well, the latest NBA power rankings show how having Antetokounmpo has instantly boosted this team's chances to go all the way.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat has improved their power rankings
In ESPN's NBA power rankings going into the 2026 season, they slap the Heat with a No. 12 ranking. That's way better than they were last year at this time, which was No. 20.
Notable additions were obviously Antetokounmpo, as well as Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr.
"Heat president Pat Riley landed his star in trading for Antetokounmpo, and the franchise was trying to persuade LeBron James to return. That didn't happen, however," Ohm Youngmisuk states, adding that the Heat still have more changes to make. They need more shooters and maybe even another big man.
Youngmisuk also notes that adding Portis is a fantastic addition. "His physicality, ability to score and role as a sixth man provide the Heat with a nice trio of big men with Bam Adebayo and Antetokounmpo, but the Heat will need to replace Powell's and Herro's perimeter shooting to help space the floor for those two stars," he adds.
So, adding Antetokounmpo took the Heat from No. 20 to No. 12, and that's something that should excite Miami fans. The future looks good.
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