The Brooklyn Nets reportedly have concern over trading all their assets for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer due to fear of his demands. Giannis has used his star power to get his brothers Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo roster spots with the Milwaukee Bucks. Both players barely get playing time and are questioned for not being worthy of NBA roster spots in any other context.
NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson reported that Brooklyn has concerns about this and how it may potentially impact their presence in trade talks:
“The thing that Giannis wants, one is creative control, two a family atmosphere. You talk to Brooklyn, Brooklyn has the assets to make it happen. But from my conversations with Brooklyn, their hesitation is this is New York, and the family atmosphere and the things that he wants, like bringing his brothers with him, it’s not going to happen.”
Giannis would have to accept that his brothers may not be able to join him in Brooklyn or most other options prioritizing roster construction. Today’s NBA sees injuries occurring more often and depth being pivotal. Wasting two roster spots potentially means losing a younger prospect and/or a veteran who can still contribute.
Why Brooklyn Can’t Add Giannis’ Brothers
Most teams would be hesitant to add two players they don’t trust to play in important games, but it is worse for the Nets. Brooklyn will be drafting a high-end lottery pick this summer, and they already have five rookies on the roster. Some of these names could be traded for Giannis, but it still sees them committing a lot of roster spots to youth.
Adding two players they don’t believe in just eats two of the few roster spots, unless they flat out give up on rookies. The Nets also have a tougher path towards contention than some of the other teams interested in trading for the two-time MVP.
Franchises like the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors would provide a faster turnaround towards contending for an NBA Championship. Antetokounmpo would have to be sold on Brooklyn finding a way to contend to sign an extension there, and his brothers not getting roster spots would make that even harder.
Would Other Teams Add Giannis’ Brothers?
Brooklyn is the first team reported to have an issue with adding the less impactful Antetokounmpo brothers in a trade for Giannis. However, other teams closer to title contention may do it if they view Giannis as the real missing piece.
One problem is that teams like Miami or New York would have to give up multiple rotation players to limit their current core. Milwaukee will want as much talent as possible, and any team replacing rotation players with the Antetokounmpo brothers may hurt their roster.
Miami may be the team most willing to trade for Thanasis and Alex since they’ve been rumored in Giannis for many years now. The past few seasons of failing to add a new superstar, like Damian Lillard, and Kevin Durant, could see the Heat most desperate and willing to appease Giannis by keeping the Antetokounmpo brothers together.
Trading For Giannis’ Brothers Scaring Off Interested Trade Partner