Report: Giannis Antetokounmpo Remains ‘Ultimate Prize’ For Nets

According to NBA reporter Brian Lewis of The New York Post, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the “ultimate prize” for the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets lead the NBA in future first-round draft picks at 15.

“Sources tell The Post that Antetokounmpo is still the ultimate prize,” Lewis wrote. “The Nets must gauge if Antetokounmpo — whom The Post has reported is still their white whale — will ever become available, and if they’re prepared to wait.”

The Milwaukee Bucks lost in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. If the Bucks don’t make a deep playoff run this year, some around the NBA believe the Antetokounmpo-Damian Lillard duo could be split up. 

“Brooklyn is still holding out for Giannis,” a source told The Post. 

The Nets failed to win a title during the Kevin DurantKyrie IrvingJames Harden era. They are currently in rebuild mode and stockpiling draft picks.

Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $175 million extension with the Bucks in 2023. The NBA legend will make $54.1 million next season. 

One of the best players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo has said several times he wants to spend his entire career with the Bucks. However, the two-time MVP also wants to win another championship, and if that doesn’t happen in Milwaukee soon, there’s no guarantee Antetokounmpo will remain loyal to the Bucks. 

Milwaukee is 26-19 right now. Antetokounmpo and Co. are in fourth place in the East. They would face the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs if the season ended today.

Indiana eliminated Milwaukee in the 2024 postseason. 

Antetokounmpo has career averages of 23.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. He helped the Bucks win the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns. 

The Nets already made one trade this season, sending Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers for D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis. Brooklyn is 14-33 on the season, good for only 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

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