The Miami Heat finally pulled off the blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley says their roster makes "absolutely no sense" to maximize him. It's a wild take for such a huge move, but honestly, you don't even need to dig deep to see the glaring problem with this squad.
A Giannis-Bam Frontcourt? It's as Awkward as It Sounds
Buckley isn't holding back, calling the Giannis and Bam Adebayo pairing "an awkward fit." Think about it: you've got two strong playmakers who dominate the interior, but neither one is going to stretch out a defense. We've heard endless talk about Adebayo's outside shooting, that "theoretically crucial component" to making these two co-exist. But the reality? He hit fewer than 32 percent of his long-range looks last season. That's a bottom-20 splash rate among the 707 times someone has launched 400-plus threes. You can't just wish away those numbers when you're trying to build a contender around a generational talent like Giannis. This isn't a theory, it's a cold, hard fact.Emptying the Tank for Giannis Left the Perimeter Bare
The Heat's big problem isn't just with their two stars, though. Buckley points out that to get Giannis, they "basically shipped out all the viable" perimeter players they had. So now, the expected starting perimeter group is looking like Davion Mitchell, who's been on three teams in five seasons, one-time All-Star Andrew Wiggins, and Tim Hardaway Jr. Yeah, Hardaway Jr. is a "shooting specialist" and their "one quantity-plus-quality shooter," but Buckley is clear: "that's all he brings to the table." When your perimeter shot-creation looks this sparse, you've got a serious challenge on your hands. They cleared house for the Greek Freak, but the cupboard is looking mighty bare out on the arc.Can Spoelstra Pull a Rabbit Out of a Hat With This Crew?
For the Heat to hit their goals, they're going to need some lesser-known players to seriously step up. Perimeter shot-creation is looking absolutely barren. Are we really supposed to believe Pelle Larsson has a surprise "star turn" coming? Is rookie second-rounder Ryan Conwell, who shot a 41/35/83 slash at Louisville, ready for rotation minutes and to suddenly become a knockdown shooter? Coach Erik Spoelstra is legendary for finding "hidden gems," mining talent better than anyone in the game. But even his "sorcery will be tested" with what little Miami has left after emptying their "asset collection" to get Giannis. So, yeah, grabbing Giannis was a no-brainer move on paper for the Heat. But man, the current roster construction? It's a head-scratcher. They're not at the level they need to be right now, plain and simple. Maybe Pat Riley's got some more magic coming in the next 6-12 months to fix this shooting drought. Because without it, even the Greek Freak might not be enough to get this team where they want to go.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.