Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball up court while being defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (28) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Imagesimage captionMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball up court while being defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (28) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) brings the ball up court while being defended by Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (28) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
The Brooklyn Nets will be one of the most in-demand teams in the NBA as the trade deadline nears, with the Nets expected to be moving off winning players on their roster for future assets. One team the Nets are expected to not engage with according to Nets Daily is the Milwaukee Bucks, as the Nets are waiting on Giannis Antetokounmpo to be available.
“Cam Johnson for Khris Middleton and Milwaukee’s 2031 unprotected first, that sort of thing. Easier to move Middleton next year as an expiring if need be,” he said before adding, “But I don’t think they help Milwaukee because they are waiting on Giannis (Antetokounmpo.)”
Antetokounmpo has been the subject of minor trade rumors this season, primarily because the Bucks started the season losing. Many have questioned whether it's time for the Bucks to rebuild and trade Giannis.
Their turnaround in form proves that they won't be a bottom-of-the-table team, especially after sealing a spot in the NBA Cup Semi-Finals with a win over the Orlando Magic tonight.
Giannis is a big reason for the turnaround in form, averaging 32.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists so far this season. If he was to be made available on the trade market, he'd likely fetch a haul comparable to what the Nets received for Kevin Durant in 2023.
Multiple players and picks could set the Bucks up for a long time, with some of those assets ironically coming from the Nets.
The Bucks would be interested in players like Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith given it adds to their frontcourt depth but it seems those players will be out of reach. Trading Khris Middleton for Johnson might not be the best move given Middleton's importance to Giannis and the Bucks itself.
Clubbing Pat Connaughton and their young players might have been enough to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith somehow, but the Bucks likely need to move on to new targets.
Warriors Looking To Make A Quick Deal With The Nets
The Bucks shouldn't waste much longer on seeing if the Nets change their minds given how aggressive bidding on their players can become this season. According to Shams Charania, three players on the roster have already received significant trade interest with Johnson, Finney-Smith, and Dennis Schroder.
"The Nets have received trade interest and opened exploratory conversations around forwards Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Dennis Schroder, sources said."
Charania also added that the Golden State Warriors are aggressively showing interest in all three players and are looking to move off the expiring contract of the injured De'Anthony Melton.
"The Warriors are among the teams that have expressed interest in those three players, sources said... Rival teams believe the Warriors are open to using injured guard De'Anthony Melton's $12.8 million expiring salary along with draft incentives to make a potential deal for that salary range."
Schroder is averaging 18.6 points and 6.5 assists this season, while Johnson is averaging 18.8 points and 4.3 rebounds. Finney-Smith's averages of 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds are the lowest, but he's also the most impactful defender of the bunch.
These players would be transformational to contenders around the NBA, so the Warriors will pray they get their guy soon after December 15 instead of being stuck in protracted trade battles with other teams as well.
## 6 Players From The Brooklyn Nets Could Be Available For Trade
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