Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to suit up with the Miami Heat, but the two-time NBA MVP already knows his goal for the 2026-27 season, and shared it at media day on Monday.
“I know that I’m going to put in the work,” he said as the Heat prepared to open camp Tuesday in Boca Raton, Fla. “Succeed or fail, I’m going to fail by working or succeed by working. And the goal is to win a championship. That’s the goal.”
Antetokounmpo, a 10-time All-Star, was traded in July along with Bobby Portis and draft picks to the Heat in exchange for Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft (Nate Ament) and draft picks. The deal was the centerpiece of Miami’s roster overhaul.
Along with Antetokounmpo and Portis, the Heat added Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to join a roster featuring Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Pelle Larson and Davion Mitchell.
“This is all new for me,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m trying to learn defense. I’m learning offenses. I am trying to fit in the locker room with new faces. I’m trying to be able to play with players that I’ve never played before. It’s all new for me. It’s exciting.”
At 31, Antetokounmpo — who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 NBA title — does not lack confidence in his ability even after 13 seasons in the league.
“I really do believe that, if not the best, I’m one of the best players in the world,” Antetokounmpo said. “I know when I’m at my best, when I’m locked in, when my body is right, I really do believe that I can dominate the game and I can impact the game in both ways, offensively and defensively. I think I’ve shown it over the years.”
Ranking fifth in both points (21,531) and rebounds (8,882) since joining the league in 2013, Antetokounmpo also has the Heat feeling he remains among the NBA’s elite.
“We brought him here for a reason. He’s here for a reason,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We want him to establish himself in that conversation of being the best player in the league, and that can be debated in a lot of different ways. But we’re not bringing him here to take a step back, so we’ll try to maximize his strengths as much as we can and get him as comfortable as possible.”
