Nets could make a run at Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Nets may not be prioritizing wins right now, but Giannis Antetokounmpo remains very much on the radar.

Brian Lewis of The New York Post reports Brooklyn has long viewed Antetokounmpo as a potential franchise-changing target, and multiple sources believe the organization plans to be competitive again by 2026-27.

“Then this is their moment,” one league source told The Post. “Really depends on if they decide that their aimless tank is over. They could sure make the best offer.”

What the “best” offer looks like depends on Milwaukee’s priorities, but Brooklyn has no shortage of draft capital if it decides to make a serious push. The Nets control a deep stash of future first-round picks, giving them flexibility that few teams can match.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst echoed that sentiment on The Hoop Collective podcast, suggesting Brooklyn is positioned to at least explore a Giannis pursuit.

“Brooklyn has 10 tradable firsts, Michael Porter Jr. and 11 tradable firsts as of draft night,” Windhorst said. “I think Brooklyn will seriously consider making an offer.”

One league source told Lewis that Porter would likely be part of any outgoing package, though an assistant general manager speculated the Nets may instead prefer to keep him, with Nic Claxton and Terance Mann serving as salary-matching pieces.

“The Nets make a lot of sense for him,” one Eastern Conference assistant GM said. “They have some good future picks. They could, in theory, trade five future first-round picks, keep this year’s pick, shut him down for the year, tank.”

Whether Brooklyn ultimately pulls the trigger remains to be seen. But the groundwork appears to be in place if the opportunity becomes real.