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Giannis Antetokounmpo has long been viewed as the Nets’ prime target. And for the first time, he might actually be in sight.
The Post has long reported that Brooklyn has been amassing draft capital and assets with acquiring Antetokounmpo as the proverbial white whale, but the Bucks had never shown any inclination to move him nor he any indication of being willing to move. That is reportedly changing.
While the two-time NBA MVP hasn’t made any firm decisions on his future, ESPN reported Monday that Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term move is leaving Milwaukee.
With NBA teams all convening in Chicago for the lottery and the NBA Draft combine, along with a host of reporters, expect to see tidbits of news coming out of the next week, if not huge news.
Giannis Antetokounmpo during Game 5 of the Bucks-Pacers series on April 29, 2025. Getty ImagesTeams are expected to go from just loosely monitoring the situation to being on high alert. And the Nets will be one of them.
Brooklyn leads the NBA in not only salary-cap room (over $50 million) but also future draft picks (31) and future first-rounders (15). The Post has reported since last year that the idea of assembling all those assets was not to make every one of those picks but to have them ready if the right star became available.
Antetokounmpo would the right star, should he decide he’s finally willing to move.
Nets GM Sean Marks (r.) and head coach Jordi Fernandez (l.) address reporters on April 14, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POSTThe Bucks have been bounced in the first round of the playoffs three straight years and were knocked out in the second round the year before that. They’re getting old and All-Star Damian Lillard is likely out for next season with a torn Achilles.
Antetokounmpo’s agents, Giorgios Panou and Alex Saratsis, will meet with the Bucks in the offseason to discuss the future, per ESPN. Saratsis also reps Brooklyn restricted free agent Cam Thomas.
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