Although speculation about Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future has cooled, many NBA teams are likely still holding out hope that he eventually seeks greener pastures. According to Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton, the Atlanta Hawks should be among them, as their most compelling draft pick-loaded trade offer could entice Milwaukee.
Atlanta has had a busy offseason building around star point guard Trae Young. The Eastern Conference playoff hopeful acquired veteran center Kristaps Porziņģis from the Boston Celtics, fortifying its frontcourt spacing and rim protection. The Hawks also added sharpshooter Luke Kennard and two-way wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Still, questions persist about whether Young, a relatively undersized (6-foot-1), defensively limited player, can be the driving force behind an NBA championship contender. Despite the four-time All-Star’s high-volume scoring and assists production, Atlanta hasn’t made the postseason since 2023, setting the stage for a make-or-break 2025-26 campaign.
NFL Analyst Floats Draft Pick-Rich Trade Proposal Sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to Hawks
On Thursday, Hutton addressed conjecture about Antetokounmpo’s long-term outlook. Early last month, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the two-time MVP is “continuing to evaluate his future” following Milwaukee’s third straight first-round playoff exit.
While Antetokounmpo hasn’t requested a trade, Hutton foresees Atlanta being among his premier suitors if he does. The analyst outlined how the franchise could land “The Greek Freak” for a trade haul featuring rising star forward Jalen Johnson, 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, and multiple first-round draft picks.
Proposed Deal
Bucks Receive: Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, 2026 first-round pick (MIL or NOP swap), 2029 first-round pick, 2032 first-round pick
Hawks Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
According to Hutton, the Hawks have put themselves “in position to pull off a league-altering move for one of the NBA’s top players.” He added that acquiring Antetokounmpo would elevate them into the championship mix, with Young shifting into a secondary offensive role, playmaking for arguably the league’s top interior finisher.
“With a stockpile of draft capital and young, valuable players, Atlanta mortgages some of their future assets to put the team in title contention,” Hutton wrote.
“Young is one of the top passers in the league and could instantly benefit from his new pick-and-roll partner. With Young and Antetokounmpo leading the way, and a stout rotation to boot, the Hawks could instantly become one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.”
Regarding the Bucks’ perspective, the writer labeled the hypothetical deal an opportunity for the middling organization to reset for the future.
“While it would certainly be hard for Milwaukee to let go of arguably the franchise’s greatest player, the return of Jalen Johnson and Zaccharie Risacher offers instant contribution in the starting rotation,” Hutton speculated. “The Bucks could also get their own pick back in 2026, along with two first-round picks, one in 2029 and another in 2032.”
Assessing Potential Roadblocks in an Antetokounmpo-to-Hawks Blockbuster Trade
Should the opportunity to leverage its assets for Antetokounmpo arise, Atlanta likely wouldn’t hesitate, especially given the East’s weakened competitive landscape. That said, Milwaukee’s willingness to entertain such a deal would likely come down to how it views players such as Johnson and Risacher.
Trading Antetokounmpo without getting a clear-cut young building block in return could set the Bucks up for a prolonged rebuild. Johnson broke out as an athletic complementary scorer and rebounder in the 2024-25 campaign before suffering a season-ending left shoulder injury in January. Meanwhile, Risacher displayed two-way promise as a rookie.
Even so, if Milwaukee doesn’t see perennial All-Star potential in either player, it could hang onto Antetokounmpo or pursue a higher-profile young prospect in a deal with another team.
