NBA Rumors: The true objective of the Brooklyn Nets' reconstruction is Giannis Antetokounmpo

Now that De'Aaron Fox is on the market, it is expected that the Brooklyn Nets will be one of the many teams trying to acquire him. But how much do they want him? And does he want them? There are rumors that the Sacramento Kings, where Jordi Fernández was an assistant coach between 2022 and 24, may start discussions to trade the point guard before the NBA Trade Deadline on February 6th.

This was reported by ESPN. This move immediately shifts Jimmy Butler from the available players list, with Brooklyn seeing the Kings player as a trade target, although sources tell The Post that Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the ultimate prize. The point guard position has been an issue since Kyrie Irving left, and even their streaks of solid play have come from substitutes like Dennis Schroder. Fox, a 27-year-old All-Star, would change all that.

However, it is expected that many teams will flood the Kings with offers for Fox. The point guard himself, along with his agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, already has a preferred destination in mind, according to ESPN. Sources speaking to The Post have said since last month that the perception around league circles is that the San Antonio Spurs are leading the charge. In summary, Brooklyn would have its work cut out to outbid other suitors and persuade Fox, who can become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

But first off, they lead the league in future first-round picks with 15, a dozen of which are tradeable and four of which are in the NBA Draft on June 25th. And secondly, they have Fernández. "I think he's going to be a great coach for sure," Fox said when Fernández accepted the position in Brooklyn. They shared a warm embrace when the Nets and Kings faced off. Brooklyn's general manager, Sean Marks, told The Post that he will certainly listen to Fernández's suggestions on player acquisitions.

"I see the coaching staff and front office, that relationship and that dynamic, as a partnership," Marks told The Post. "I have to trust them because their experiences and interactions with players, whether from other teams or just being on the court, are close." Fernández brought along a couple of Kings, Dutch Gaitley and Deividas Dulkys, now on the roster. Both would be familiar and friendly faces to Fox. The point guard is under contract for the upcoming season at $37.1 million and eligible for a four-year, $229 million extension this summer.

A Push for Giannis Antetokounmpo

But money is not the real issue for Marks and Nets owner, Joe Tsai. The Nets must gauge if Antetokounmpo, whom The Post has reported remains their top target, will ever be available and if they are willing to wait. "Brooklyn is still waiting for Giannis," a source told The Post.

The Nets must determine if they can win a bidding war for Fox. If so, can they do it by spending few assets so they can still make a competitive offer if the Bucks ever decide to move Antetokounmpo, and have enough team left for the former MVP to even want to come to Brooklyn? If they can accomplish all that, Fox could be a lure for Antetokounmpo. There is much to like about his 25.2 points, 6.2 assists, and five rebounds. That is the calculus they will try to solve while safeguarding their assets and flexibility.

"You have to be prepared and position yourself to be able to have that chance to add a star," Marks told The Post last month. "We're going to give ourselves the best opportunity to do that. Now, who and when, that remains to be seen. But when we took over [in 2016], it took three or four seasons before we could say, 'Hey, suddenly we have a team that now is capable of competing. It's a playoff team.' ... We fell short, we didn't get there. So the goal now is to be able to do it again, build and try again."

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