Giannis Antetokounmpo
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a prized trade target for the Brooklyn Nets
Giannis Antetokounmpo is forcing his way out of Milwaukee, and teams from around the league have inquired about acquiring the All-Star forward.
Milwaukee has already fielded offers from the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors, among others.
Recently, another surprise suitor for the two-time MVP winner emerged.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that the Brooklyn Nets are a team to watch for in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Brooklyn has long been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks star. Last season, following the Bucks first-round exit, trade rumors began to circulate, with the Nets listed as a potential suitor for the Greek star.
Milwaukee is reportedly seeking a blue-chip youth and draft capital for Antetokounmpo. Despite the flurry of trade offers they received, the Bucks could wait until the offseason to deal the disgruntled All-Star forward.
Nets Would Satisfy Giannis’ Big-Market Desire
Giannis Antetokounmpo
GettyBucks could wait until off-season to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo
Despite becoming a storied legend in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo has not been shy about his desire to play for a big-market franchise.
Following the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, Antetokounmpo humorously posed the idea of every European basketball star joining big-market teams.
Bleacher Report
Giannis was asked about the Luka trade and said his dream is for all the European stars to go to all the big markets ⭐️👀
“I want Luka to Lakers. I want Jokic to Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to the big markets.”
(via @Bucks)
“OK, let’s say something funny because I took it and spoke very serious,” Antetokounmpo said after mulling the blockbuster trade that sent Dončić to the Lakers, with Anthony Davis heading to Dallas.
“Now that a European will be, I believe, the face of the Lakers, this is something new for Europe. It’s never happened before. We had Pau Gasol. Obviously, he was a great player. And how do you say — Vujačić? Sasha Vujačić? — great guy, one of my close friends, but I mess up his name all the time. Now, I just love it. You know what I want? I want Luka to the Lakers, I want Jokić to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to all the big markets to see something incredible. This is what I want. This is my dream. But again, I wish both teams the best of luck, wish all the players best of luck with their journey moving forward.”
While Brooklyn may not share the championship pedigree of some of its big-market counterparts, the team does boast the grand stage that Antetokounmpo covets.
The Brooklyn-based franchise boasts the same allure and glamour as the New York Knicks, and also has the cap space to absorb a massive contract.
Given Antetokounmpo’s desire to play for a contender, though, the Nets would need to add more firepower to meet that demand.
Nets Linked to Ja Morant and Giannis
Giannis Antetokounmpo
GettyMilwaukee Bucks could deal Giannis Antetokounmpo before the trade deadline in February
In addition to Antetokounmpo, the Nets have been linked Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
Fullcourtpass
The Brooklyn Nets are one of the last “truly interested” teams in trading for Ja Morant, per @DoingItDodson
Perhaps the team is doing its due diligence on available stars. Or, maybe the team is plotting a blockbuster to become an Eastern Conference powerhouse.
In either case, the Nets could offer an enticing trade package around Michael Porter Jr., who has also been a popular name on the rumor mill.
Porter is averaging a career-high 25.2 points per game and would likely be the marquee piece in a potential Nets deal for Antetokounmpo.