Malcolm Brogdon believes Giannis Antetokounmpo’s work ethic is one of the main reasons he can succeed with the Miami Heat after the franchise-changing offseason trade that brought the two-time MVP to South Beach.
“I was there during his ascension, and he’s a worker,” Brogdon said on SiriusXM NBA Radio, via HoopsHype. “He’s the hardest worker I’ve played with.”
Brogdon entered the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016-17, the same season Antetokounmpo made his first All-Star team and established himself as one of the league’s rising stars. The two played together for three seasons before Brogdon joined the Indiana Pacers in free agency in 2019.
During Brogdon’s time in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo developed from a 22-year-old averaging 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 2016-17 into an MVP-level player. By the 2018-19 season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists while winning his first MVP award and earning All-NBA First Team honors.
Brogdon said Antetokounmpo’s ability to improve year after year made him a natural fit for Miami’s culture.
“I think he fits the profile for the Miami Heat,” Brogdon said. “He’s a great fit on both sides.”
Antetokounmpo arrives in Miami after averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 36 games during the 2025-26 season. He shot 62.4% from the field, posted a career-high 63.6% effective field goal percentage and earned his 13th consecutive All-Star selection.
The Heat acquired Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks in June, sending Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, draft rights to Nate Ament and multiple future draft assets to Milwaukee. The move reshaped Miami’s roster around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Brogdon believes Miami’s biggest challenge will be finding the right balance between Antetokounmpo’s leadership style and the structure established by team president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra.
“The difference with the Miami Heat is Pat Riley runs the show,” Brogdon said. “He doesn’t allow players to come and run the show from what I’ve heard and what I’ve observed since I’ve been in the NBA. That’s going to take a balancing act between Riley and Giannis.”
Miami finished the 2025-26 regular season 43-39, earning the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference before acquiring Antetokounmpo. The Heat also added veteran wing Tim Hardaway Jr., retained Andrew Wiggins and maintained their core around Adebayo.
Brogdon stopped short of declaring Miami a championship favorite but believes adding a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber changes the team’s ceiling.
“I don’t know if they’re a championship team, I wouldn’t go that far,” Brogdon said. “But having a Giannis, it gives you a chance.”
Antetokounmpo brings Miami a player with two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year award and a championship from his 2020-21 season with Milwaukee. His combination of elite scoring efficiency, playmaking and defensive impact gives the Heat one of the league’s most complete two-way players heading into the 2026-27 season.
