The Brooklyn Nets currently own a 13-25 record and sit as the No. 12 seed in the East. In what many consider to be a rebuilding year for Brooklyn, very few expect them to make a postseason appearance this year. Nonetheless, the Nets are reportedly eying a trade that would send a top star to Brooklyn, which would make them contenders once again. According to NBA insider Marc Stein (subscription required), that top star is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
“The scenario repeatedly cited in conversation with rival teams always winds up in the same place: The Nets have long been described and continue to be painted as a team determined to be in position to trade for Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo someday,” Stein wrote.
Brooklyn Nets ‘Determined to’ Trade for Former MVP, Per Insider
The Likelihood of a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade to the Brooklyn Nets
While acquiring the two-time MVP is a dream scenario for Brooklyn, it is not likely. At least not currently. According to Stein, the Bucks’ chances of trading Antetokounmpo depend on how much he pushes the team for a trade. As it stands, Antetokounmpo “has shown no inclination” to push Milwaukee for a trade.
“Reminder: Someday depends on Antetokounmpo pushing the Bucks to trade him … something he has shown no known inclination to do. There remains zero expectation that the Bucks would even consider the notion of trading Antetokounmpo unless he pushed for it.”
In 2023, Antetokounmpo signed a three-year contract extension. This deal keeps “The Greek Freak” under contract through 2027 with a player option for the 2027-28 season. While a move away from the Bucks is possible down the line, it does not seem like it will happen any time soon. Furthermore, last month, ESPN’s Shams Charania made it clear that Milwaukee will not trade Antetokounmpo this season.
“There will be no Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this season,” Charania said before the Bucks-Thunder NBA Cup final. “Between the Cup and moving forward… his priority is putting himself in a position where he can have long-term sustained winning wherever that may be. Right now, it’s Milwaukee.”
Rival Teams Are Monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Status
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently reported that there are other teams around the league keeping an eye on Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. Though he did not name any teams in particular, it is fair to assume that the Nets are one of these teams.
“Longer term, rival teams are still watching what will happen with Giannis Antetokounmpo if the Milwaukee Bucks suffer another disappointing end to the season after two consecutive first-round losses,” Bontemps wrote.
Since winning a title in 2021, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have advanced past the first round just once. Furthermore, they have yet to return to the Eastern Conference Finals. As Bontemps puts it, Antetokounmpo could eye a trade away from the team if they have another early playoff exit this year.
The Nets could be a good destination for Antetokounmpo. They are a young team with plenty of talented players who could play well alongside him. However, it seems that this move is unlikely.
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