The Milwaukee Bucks' hiring Taylor Jenkins as their next head coach could hurt the Miami Heat's chances of landing a superstar this offseason on two fronts. A trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo may have just gotten slightly more unlikely for the Heat, and a potential backup option for Miami (Ja Morant) could just have gotten another intriguing option.
At this point, it's not outlandish to suggest that Giannis played at least a small part in the Bucks' hiring process for Jenkins. Even though that may not be admitted, I can't imagine a world where Giannis didn't at least have some input.
At the same time, with the addition of Jenkins, perhaps it could open the door for the Milwaukee Bucks to pursue Morant. They had some interest in the star guard at the NBA Trade Deadline, but ultimately didn't pull the trigger on a move.
Perhaps with one of his old coaches on board, that may suddenly change.
The Heat's path to a superstar just got much more difficult
What does all that mean for the Heat specifically? Well, it's the idea that their path toward a superstar player this offseason may have just gotten that much more complicated.
Even though the offseason isn't even here yet, there are three names that have been linked to the Heat as potential trade targets. Giannis, Kawhi Leonard, and Morant. A new head coach could be just enough for Giannis to stay in Milwaukee for a while longer, especially if they're able to strike a deal for a player like Morant to appease him.
If that were to happen, the Heat would immediately lose out on two of three potential star targets this offseason.
It would leave the Heat scrambling heading into the summer.
The Heat are in a fight against time to land a star player
There's no guarantee this is how the next few months are going to play out for the Heat, but there's at least a small chance it does. Knowing that the Bucks will be trying to do everything they can to keep Giannis in Milwaukee, this hiring does have to be at least slightly annoying for the Heat.
Because even if it adds a little more intrigue to Milwaukee's offseason, Giannis would have no other option than to give the new regime a chance.
With how much the Heat has invested in landing a star player this summer, that's the last thing that the front office wants to hear.