Kendrick Perkins believes Giannis Antetokounmpo’s chances of winning another championship could depend on whether he remains the clear No. 1 option after his move to Miami.
“I don’t think Giannis will ever win a championship with him being a number one option. I repeat. Giannis Antetokounmpo will never win another championship with him being the number one option,” Perkins said.
The comments come after Miami acquired Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee in a blockbuster deal that reshaped the Eastern Conference. The Heat sent Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, a pick swap and a second-round selection to the Bucks for the two-time MVP and Bobby Portis.
Miami’s new roster gives Antetokounmpo a different environment than the one he had in Milwaukee. The Heat finished the 2025-26 season 43-39 and entered the Play-In Tournament, but the addition of a player who averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 62.4% shooting from the field in 36 games changes their ceiling.
Perkins’ argument centers on the idea that championship teams often require elite offensive balance around their best player. Antetokounmpo has already won a title as Milwaukee’s top option, leading the Bucks to the 2021 championship while averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the Finals against the Phoenix Suns.
The challenge for Miami will be creating a roster that can withstand playoff defenses built to slow down Antetokounmpo’s interior dominance. During the 2025-26 season, the Heat’s leading scorers before the trade were Norman Powell at 21.7 points per game, Herro at 20.5 points and Bam Adebayo at 20.1 points.
Adebayo now becomes the most important co-star next to Antetokounmpo. The 28-year-old center averaged 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists while earning All-Defensive recognition, giving Miami two elite defensive players who can control the paint.
However, the offensive questions remain. Neither Antetokounmpo nor Adebayo is a high-volume three-point shooter, and both players rely heavily on attacking the rim. Miami’s spacing will depend on players such as Powell, Andrew Wiggins and its remaining perimeter rotation.
