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General Manager Sean Marks of the Brooklyn Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets view Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell as two players they’d love to trade for and hope to contend again soon. Brooklyn has spent the past two seasons tanking with the hopes of adding a high-end draft pick. Last year’s draft class saw the Nets adding Egor Demin and Nolan Traore as their top rookies of their total five picks.
The New York Post reports that Brooklyn would view Antetokounmpo and Mitchell as their dream assets if they are available to acquire via trade:
“Sources told The Post that Brooklyn was interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell before entering their tank. If either became available — and the former is largely expected to — could the Nets circle back?
“They’ll have conversations [about stars],” one league source told The Post. “They already had conversations; they just weren’t quite the right time.” Somewhere over the next 18 months should be the right time for Brooklyn. But circumstances will dictate when.”
The report claims that the Nets will have conversations about looking for stars on the market this offseason. Brooklyn should have a high draft pick with a strong presence in the draft lottery. However, a lot of other variables will determine what the Nets do and what names are available.
Why Losing Nets Could Quit Rebuilding
The main question about this report is how the Nets could appease stars switching teams and if they would abandon them rebuild so quickly. Brooklyn does not own their own draft pick next season and would only help other teams by losing again.
Next season is also expected to be more competitive with fellow losing East teams like the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers looking to make the playoffs. The Nets will need better talent on the roster to gain more wins and avoid the embarrassment of losing a top draft pick.
Reports have also suggested that Brooklyn is looking for a faster rebuild in the big New York market. The hope is to develop strong young talent from last season and this season’s draft classes on the tanking side. Everything after this season will involve improvement and trying to score more victories.
Nets Chances At Acquiring Both Names
Brooklyn will look to find the right talents to build around and invest their future in. Antetokounmpo has been General Manager Sean Marks’ dream target for years, but the Nets weak roster made it impossible to get involved in this season’s trade discussions. Giannis viewing New York as an ideal location could help the Nets.
Mitchell is a hometown boy and actually spend his younger years as a bat boy for the minor league baseball team Brooklyn Cyclones since his father managed the team. Previous comments have seen Mitchell praising both the Nets and New York Knicks when talking about how fun it would be to play in New York.
Rumors suggest Mitchell will not extend with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason unless they get to the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland could trade Mitchell if he enters a contract season with the chance to leave next summer. Antetokounmpo must request a trade for the Milwaukee Bucks to move him. Time will tell if the Nets have enough to acquire one or both names this summer.
Joey Haverford Joey Haverford is a seasoned sports content writer with over 12 years of experience. He has covered the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and professional wrestling in the sports industry. More about Joey Haverford
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