The Brooklyn Nets are expected to make a trade offer for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Nets are planning to make an offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Tanking #Nets – with the most draft assets in the #NBA – could make push for Giannis Antetokounmpo. #bucks https://t.co/3HUTR0wyh7
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 30, 2026
The Brooklyn Nets could be the team nobody expects to win the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. They could even beat out the Knicks, who are reportedly one of the favorites to land Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks reportedly want two things in a deal for Antetokounmpo: young, blue-chip players and draft picks.
If the Bucks want draft picks, the Nets have 10 tradeable first-round picks right now. On draft night, the number rises to 11.
Plus, they have a player with the perfect contract to build a trade around for Antetokounmpo in Michael Porter Jr. The 27-year-old forward is in the fourth year of his five-year, $179.3 million contract he signed in 2021.
Porter is making $38.3 million this year and $40.8 million next year.
While Porter alone doesn’t get the trade done, it’s a good start to match the money. Plus, Porter would only be on the books in Milwaukee for one more year. They could then choose to re-sign him or let him walk in free agency.
Porter has been better than expected this year, averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.
Brian Lewis of the New York Post believes that this is the Nets’ “moment” if they “decide that their aimless tank is over.”
Lewis added, “They could sure make the best offer.”
What does Giannis Antetokounmpo want?
After years of reaffirming his commitment to Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo finally told the Bucks that he is willing to be traded.
Earlier this week, a report stated that the Bucks are fielding aggressive offers for Antetokounmpo, and they are starting to listen.
Antetokounmpo also informed the Bucks that he is willing to be traded to another team.
The Bucks are not in a rush to trade Antetokounmpo before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. It actually might be in Milwaukee’s best interest to wait until the offseason and listen to better offers from more teams.
Antetokounmpo is currently sidelined with a calf injury, which could cause teams to hesitate with their offers before the deadline.
When on the court, Antetokounmpo is still one of the five best players in the NBA. The Greek Freak is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists this season.
Where do the Nets go from here?
It’s been an interesting decade for the Nets. At one point, Brooklyn formed a Big 3 with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. The trio barely played together, and the farthest that nucleus got was the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Ironically, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks knocked the Nets out that season in seven games. The Bucks went on to win the NBA title.
The Nets made the playoffs the following two seasons but got swept 4-0 in each instance.
Brooklyn is now in the midst of a rebuild. However, the pieces are starting to come together. Jordi Fernández is a promising coach, and the team has plenty of draft picks for the future.
It’s time for Brooklyn to make a decision.