Giannis Antetokounmpo believes winning a championship with the Miami Heat could eventually move him into the greatest player of all time discussion, but the two-time MVP said he is not there yet.
“The GOAT conversation? No, no, not yet. But if we get the job done here, maybe in a few years I’ll be,” Giannis said after joining Miami following the blockbuster offseason trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 31-year-old forward enters Miami with a resume that already places him among the most decorated players of his generation. Antetokounmpo has won two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year award, an NBA championship and a Finals MVP award during his 13 seasons in the league.
Giannis averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 895 career games entering the 2026-27 season, shooting 55.4% from the field. His peak stretch came from 2018-19 through 2024-25, when he averaged at least 27 points in seven consecutive seasons and earned seven All-NBA First Team selections.
His individual dominance reached its highest level during the 2019-20 season, when he averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists while winning both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. He became only the third player in NBA history to win both awards in the same season, joining Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.
However, Giannis acknowledged that the GOAT debate is built around sustained team success as much as individual production. Michael Jordan won six championships, LeBron James has four titles, and other all-time greats such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Russell built their cases through multiple championships.
Miami’s decision to acquire Giannis reflects the franchise’s belief that another title run is possible around an elite frontcourt pairing. The Heat sent Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three future first-round picks, a pick swap and additional draft compensation to Milwaukee for Giannis and Bobby Portis.
The move gives Miami a core built around Giannis and Bam Adebayo, two players who have earned reputations as elite two-way forces. The Heat finished the 2025-26 regular season 43-39 and reached the playoffs through the Eastern Conference play-in tournament before reshaping the roster around Giannis.
Miami also retained Andrew Wiggins on a three-year, $64 million extension and added Tim Hardaway Jr. on a one-year, $6.5 million contract to improve the shooting around its new superstar duo. The Heat lost Norman Powell, who signed with the Chicago Bulls after averaging 21.7 points per game in 2025-26.
For Giannis, the next step is adding more championship success to his legacy. He won his first title with Milwaukee in 2021, averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists during the Finals against the Phoenix Suns.
