June 10, 2026, 8:50 p.m. ET

The Brooklyn Nets have been linked to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo over the past few years, but it seems like he’s finally at the point where he’ll be traded away. Brooklyn has been connected to Antetokounmpo in the sense of them trading for Antetokounmpo to speed up the rebuilding process, but it may actually be in terms of helping Antetokounmpo reach his preferred destination.

Earlier this month, Eric Pincus put together a mock trade for Bleacher Report involving the Nets that would send Antetokounmpo to the Cleveland Cavaliers with Milwaukee receiving Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams in return. More to the point, the trade involves the Nets, Bucks, Cavaliers, and Thunder as a way of each team getting what it needs to make the trade happen, with Brooklyn being the team with draft capital and salary cap space to absorb contracts.

Ultimately, the Nets would be sending out center Day’Ron Sharpe and the No. 43 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and would be receiving center Isaiah Hartenstein, forward Aaron Wiggins, and guard Sam Merrill. While Brooklyn wouldn’t be receiving any of the marquee players in the deal in Antetokounmpo, Williams, or Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley, Pincus believes this would still be a good deal for them.

“Intel from the NBA draft combine in Chicago had the Nets interested in Hartenstein. Presumably, the team would build a frontcourt with Michael Porter Jr., Nicolas Claxton, and Hartenstein,” Pincus wrote as part of his explanation for why the Nets would do the deal. “Along with Nos. 6 and 33 in the draft, the additions of Wiggins and Merrill provide badly needed shooting to open the floor.”

Hartenstein, Wiggins, and Merrill were all part of their respective teams making playoff runs and if the Nets are looking to improve as much as possible this summer, this deal could be a path to achieving that goal. However, it will depend on if the Bucks trade Antetokounmpo away and how much they would want if they do. Either way, Brooklyn could play the role of facilitator when it comes to any of the big-name players changing teams.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!