MIAMI — The Miami Heat officially welcomed Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis on Thursday, introducing the former Milwaukee Bucks teammates as the centerpieces of an offseason that has dramatically reshaped the franchise’s championship aspirations.
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Portis was introduced first at Kaseya Center before Antetokounmpo addressed reporters later in the afternoon.
Heat president Pat Riley called the day the culmination of years of admiring Portis’ game and the pursuit of one of the NBA’s biggest stars.
Riley laughed when explaining why Portis will wear No. 95 with the Heat.
“It was great the other day to see how he came to that number because he drove all the way from Milwaukee on 95 down to Miami,” Riley said. “And I like that number because it reminds me of a double-double somewhere along the way.”
He also praised Portis’ versatility and toughness.
“I always loved his game, right out of Arkansas to Chicago to Washington, New York, Dallas and finally Milwaukee,” Riley said. “Prototype power forward, very versatile … a hell of a player and we’re very fortunate to have him part of our organization.”
Portis, 31, enters his 12th NBA season after spending the past seven years with the Bucks. Last season, he averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 48.8% from the field and 45.6% from 3-point range on 4.4 attempts per game.
The Heat is the fifth team of Portis’ NBA career. He previously played for the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Bucks.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Portis brings the physical style and versatility Miami targeted this offseason.
“We feel like we bring a physicality and an edge to our front court, and that’s something that we’ve always wanted,” Spoelstra said. “Everybody’s talking about you need to have some size in the front court and positional size. We think we’ve checked those boxes.”
Spoelstra called Portis “one of the best shooting bigs in the league” while also praising his rebounding, post play and defensive versatility.
Portis said joining the Heat fulfills a longtime dream.
“First and foremost, I just want to give a big shout out to the Heat organization for allowing me to be a part of this trade, allowing me to grace the culture,” Portis said. “I was born to be a Heat player, so it fits right in with me. My favorite team growing up, I just want to put that out there.”
He added that he prides himself on improving every offseason.
“Over time, as you grow in your career, you want to evolve your game each and every year,” Portis said.
Hours later, the spotlight shifted to Antetokounmpo, whose arrival represents one of the biggest acquisitions in franchise history.
Riley said adding another superstar continues the organization’s pursuit of championships.
“We got Giannis,” he said. “This is just part of who the Heat are in the pursuit of excellence, but you don’t win championships unless you have greatness on the court and on the bench.”
Spoelstra said he didn’t hesitate when Riley approached him about the possibility of coaching Antetokounmpo.
“A little while ago Pat called me into his office and he looked at me and he said, ‘Do you want to coach Giannis?’” he said. “Yes. I didn’t ask why he asked the question. I didn’t ask how it could work. I just walked out of the office and let him and Andy (Elisburg) get to work.”
Spoelstra said Antetokounmpo’s competitiveness is what makes him special.
“He is a force of will, a force of nature, has an absolute will to win,” Spoelstra said. “On any given day or year, he can be the best on the planet.”
Antetokounmpo, 31, said he has long admired the Heat organization from afar.
“I’ve always had huge respect for the Miami Heat organization,” he said. “Around the league as players we speak, we talk, and you always hear about the Miami Heat culture — that guys work hard, guys are very disciplined, guys are very driven and guys are very selfless.”
The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player said he wanted a new challenge after spending 13 seasons in Milwaukee.
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“I think I thrive under pressure,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think I need pressure at this time in my career. I think in order for me to go to the next level, I’ve got to get out of my comfort zone, and I feel like Miami was the place for me to be.”
He added that winning another championship remains his primary motivation.
“I’ve accomplished a lot of things in my career, but one of my goals is to win another championship,” he said. “I feel like this is the best route for me to do that.”
The seven-time All-NBA First Team selection, two-time MVP, 2021 NBA champion and Finals MVP, nine-time All-Star and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year said he is eager to team with center Bam Adebayo after years of battling him.
“With Bam I got 12 hours of sleep,” Antetokounmpo joked. “I had to be extra ready because I know he’ll play very, very hard.”
He said he believes the pair can anchor one of the league’s top defenses.
“It starts from me and Bam,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m excited to compete with him. I’m excited to be on the same side with him.”
Antetokounmpo also explained why he changed his jersey number from No. 34, which he wore throughout his 13 seasons in Milwaukee, to No. 7 with the Heat.
Giannis asked about changing his number from 34 to 7.
He says if you add 3+4 it equals 7. His mom was born on the 7th. But he says the real reason he changed it was for the love and respect he has for Milwaukee.
“It was kind of like having closure mentally and emotionally.”
— Will Manso (@WillManso) July 16, 2026
He said the number carries personal significance because adding 3 and 4 equals 7 and his mother was born on the seventh day of the month. But he said the primary reason for the change was to honor his time with the Bucks.
“It was kind of like having closure mentally and emotionally,” Antetokounmpo said. “Out of love and respect for the previously organization that I spent 13 years with, I didn’t want to wear No. 34 anymore.”
Riley also acknowledged the difficulty of parting with several young players and draft assets to acquire Antetokounmpo but said the opportunity was too significant to pass up.
“We’re about now, and Giannis is about now too,” Riley said. “It’s not easy when you develop a lot of time and effort into development, but once you make it, you go full forward with it. We’re going for it all.”
With Antetokounmpo, Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. joining a roster led by Adebayo, the Heat enter the 2026-27 season with renewed championship expectations.
You can watch the Local 10 Special report on the Miami Heat’s white hot welcome to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. right here or by clicking this link.
LeBron returning to Miami?
Riley also teased that the Heat may not be done making moves, and that the team could be looking to reunite with four-time NBA champion LeBron James, who is currently a free agent after choosing not to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Pat Riley on Giannis “we landed the plane.”
“Now there’s another one we have to land.” 😳🤔
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) July 16, 2026
“The first thing to do is we landed a 747,” Riley said, referring to Antetokounmpo. “You want to characterize the other guy, you can go ahead and characterize it.”
Miami will hold its annual media day Sept. 28 at Kaseya Center before opening training camp on Sept. 29.
And don’t forget, you can watch Miami Heat games on Local 10 next season as WPLG Local 10 and the Heat announced a newly expanded media rights agreement, making Local 10 the home of HEAT basketball across South Florida! CLICK HERE for more information on how to watch!
Heat fans can also call 786-777-4375 for more information on how to purchase tickets for the 2026-2027 season.
Read more Local 10 Special: Miami Heat welcomes Giannis, Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr.
