
Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo said he believes the Miami Heat are his best chance at another title.
And as Heat president Pat Riley proudly introduced his latest blockbuster acquisition, he hinted Antetokounmpo could soon have more star power to back him up in that pursuit.
“We landed the plane,” Riley said of completing the deal to bring Antetokounmpo to town. “Now there’s another one we have to land.”
That was a reference to the Heat’s continued pursuit of free agent superstar LeBron James, who led the team to back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.
The Heat is reportedly in the mix as James decides where he’ll play next after announcing his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers in June.
James himself remained mum when he appeared at a fan festival in New York.
And with the situation still murky, Riley stressed that the Heat were celebrating the arrival of Antetokounmpo as a move that makes them contenders now.
“We’re not here guaranteeing anything. But we want to win,” Riley said. “This is the team that we have right now, and I’m happy with it.”
Riley said the Heat had nearly landed Antetokounmpo by the February trade deadline.
The 31-year-old has played all 13 of his NBA seasons with the Bucks, leading them to a title that snapped a 50-year title drought. (Agence France-Presse)