The Atlanta Hawks could get themselves into the conversation for former two-time MVP and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It would not be cheap, though.
During a conversation with The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, NBA insider Zach Lowe agreed that the Hawks could put together an enticing offer, though Atlanta would almost certainly have to trade not only Jalen Johnson but Zaccharie Risacher to the Milwaukee Bucks in the deal.
Lowe brought the Hawks up when asked for a “holy s***” trade team, also naming the Sacramento Kings.
Simmons steered the conversation toward Antetokounmpo anecdotally.
“I wasn’t saying it was going to happen, but the question was why wouldn’t Atlanta take a swing? They don’t have their picks anyway,” Simmons told Lowe on “The Bills Simmons Podcast” on May 21. “The next two are controlled by the Spurs, but the next one’s a swap with the Spurs. But they [Atlanta] own ‘28, ‘29, ‘30, ‘31. Then, they have an extra Bucks-New Orleans pick, and they also have Risacher, if you want to get excited there.”
Risacher was named to the 2024-25 All-Rookie First Team, snapping a significant drought for the Hawks. However, Lowe called Risacher the “rubber-meets-the-road piece” to get the conversation “a little bit off the ground.”
Simmons’ final suggestion in the hypothetical scenario was Johnson, Risacher, and “all the remaining picks” from the Hawks to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo.
The Hawks would likely need to add another, smaller contract to the deal to make the salaries match.
“I think Milwaukee has to sit down and think about it,” Lowe said. “That’s an offer that teams can beat, but it’s an offer that’s, like, you got to beat. It’s not a nothing offer.”
Simmons pointed to the Hawks’ “upheaval” in the front office, which stands in the way of any significant decision being made, and that they have “done weird s*** before.” Both noted the weakened state of the Eastern Conference could lead teams to stand pat and build organically.
The cost of Johnson, Risacher and future draft capital is extremely daunting, though.
Players of Antetokounmpo’s caliber rarely come available, and the Hawks making such a deal is even rarer.
Hawks have ventured down the blockbuster trade route before
The fact that the Hawks have had to make a significant pivot recently, trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Saints two years after acquiring him from the San Antonio Spurs, must also factor into any future moves.
Johnson and Risacher are the Hawks’ primary building blocks.
Trae Young’s future is also far from certain. He is extension-eligible this offseason with his player option for 2026-27 looming large. Fellow guard Dyson Daniels is also extension-eligible after winning Most Improved Player with restricted free agency looming in 2027.
The Hawks gave up control of their picks, so having control of teams’ like LA, Milwaukee, and New Orleans offers some opportunities to snag lottery talent and replenish their ranks.
They have also been a luxury tax-averse outfit.
Assembling a competitive roster around Young and Antetokounmpo will push the Hawks into the tax, and still does not guarantee postseason success. Antetokounmpo is 30, which means the Hawks would be giving up a lot of youth for an aging superstar.