Antetokounmpo is linked to the Nets amid trade rumors, but Flag may block the way

According to an article written by the US media NBA Analysis Network. The Brooklyn Nets can start their reconstruction with a big deal, but they must give up their biggest assets to get Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Brooklyn Nets, despite playing in the largest media market in the United States, have nothing to celebrate. The last time they entered the NBA Finals was in 2003, and they never won the Larry O'Brien Trophy. This is not because of a lack of attempts. In 2019, they added Durant and Irving, and then traded Harden a few months later, despite injuries and the pandemic preventing the team from lasting success.

But with the Milwaukee Bucks losing 4-1 to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs, they are expected to make some drastic moves in the offseason. The forefront is trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose home-based star brought them a championship in 2021. Antetokounmpo has long made it clear that he wants to retire in Milwaukee, even though winning the championship is still his top priority. The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets appear to be the frontrunners to sign him, but the Nets may have a huge deal.

In the trading Antetokounmpo, Brooklyn has enough assets

The Nets may send promising young players Cam Thomas and Nick Clarkston to the Bucks through the signing deal. However, they also have a large number of draft picks, which will be the main attraction to doing business with them. After a trade with the Phoenix Suns to get rid of Durant, the Dallas Mavericks transferred from Irving and sent Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Nets ended up with 10 first-round picks and swap rights. Then, this summer, they traded Bridges to the New York Knicks in exchange for four other first-rounders.

Frager may head to the Nets, although they don't have their own superstars, savvy trades and free agent signings can push the Nets to the standings, despite a huge problem. After a hotter start to the 2024-25 season than expected, the Nets won the No. 1 pick with the sixth best odds in the 2025 NBA Draft, which will undoubtedly be Duke genius Cooper Flag.

If the Nets get the first pick, their priority is either to organically build a winner around Flag or cash in on their future assets and go all out to win, because it is believed that Flag is ready for the NBA from day one. However, any team willing to make a deal with the Nets wants to pry Flag away, and Giannis is one of the few players that are enough to get Brooklyn to consider.

"From Flag's exchange for Antetokounmpo seems a fairly reasonable present-for-future: would you rather have 5 years of all-NBA guarantees or 15 years of potential but not quite sure?" "It will depend on the situation, but in this case the Bucks may prefer the latter. Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey isn't that tempting, but they may be at the heart of here.

Of course, the Nets can transfer most of their future draft picks and matching salaries to the Bucks, pairing their young players with mature superstars. They have a 9% chance of getting the No. 1 pick, which could ruin the league and win them their first NBA title. Which one do you think the Nets would choose between the No. 1 pick in the future and Antetokounmpo, one of the best forwards in the active service?