Nets thrashed by Bucks as they get a Giannis Antetokounmpo reminder

For years, the Nets assiduously collected assets to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo in case he ever became available.

But the superstar decided he’s staying in Milwaukee for now, and that if he did leave he’d reportedly prefer to contend Manhattan than build in Brooklyn.

Saturday was a reminder just how far away the Nets were from landing Antetokounmpo, or are from having a contender that could lure him.

The Nets suffered a 116-99 thrashing at the hands of Antetokounmpo and his Bucks before 16,396 at Fiserv Forum.

It was a one-sided beating befitting the gap between where these two teams are, a tanking Brooklyn team playing without Michael Porter Jr., Cam Thomas and Egor Demin against a seasoned Milwaukee squad.

Antetokounmpo was utterly dominant as he bullied the Nets all night, with 29 points on 12-of-15 shooting and eight rebounds in just 18:59 in only his second game back from a strained groin.

His return came Friday against the Knicks, the only team he considered leaving the Bucks for this summer, according to ESPN.

After the Nets’ hopes to use Mikal Bridges as a running mate for a star proved in vain, they traded him to the Knicks for five first-round picks, signaling a rebuild. Ironically that move not only shut the door on Brooklyn’s contention for years, but left the Knicks without picks to use in a deal for Antetokounmpo.