With the NBA draft three weeks away, several league personnel who spoke with The Post are less convinced that Giannis Antetokounmpo will actually become available, and more certain the Nets are looking to acquire a second lottery pick. 

Those two things aren’t unrelated. That’s not coincidence, but causality. 

Multiple sources have told The Post since the 2023-24 season that Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo has been Brooklyn GM Sean Marks’ dream target. And after the Bucks’ third straight first-round playoff exit and Damian Lillard’s ruptured Achilles tendon, speculation arose that Antetokounmpo could become available. ESPN reported he is open to leaving Milwaukee. 

The Nets’ NBA-high 15 future first-round picks initially had them seen as at the head of the queue. A high lottery pick would’ve helped their cause, but bad luck saw them fall from sixth to eighth. San Antonio landing the second pick also hurt the Nets, and Toronto is also seen as a top contender.