Despite recent reporting suggesting Giannis Antetokounmpo would like to be a New York Knick, Jake Fischer reported that the Atlanta Hawks are the Eastern Conference team best positioned to make a move for the two-time MVP.
Fischer rationalized Atlanta’s offseason pipedream with the logic that the team owns the rights to Milwaukee’s 2026 first round draft pick after the draft day heist of New Orleans this offseason. What is less known is that the Hawks also control the rights to a 2027 Milwaukee first round pick via a swap with the Pelicans (yes, again). The Hawks' roster is also the third-youngest in the league, with plenty of intriguing prospects who could be available in trade packages in lieu of draft capital.
While it is unclear if the Antetokounmpo situation is hot enough to warrant a trade demand from the usually mild-mannered star, a trade to the Hawks would make the team instant favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
Antetokounmpo alone was able to drag a poorly constructed, aging Milwaukee team into the first round. With the help of Trae Young, Kristaps Porzingis, and whoever else would remain on the roster in a trade, Giannis would have his best supporting cast since he won a ring in 2021.
Does a Giannis trade make sense, and what would have to be traded?
The Hawks are usually excluded from trade talks for players of this caliber. After giving three first round picks for Dejounte Murray, the team doesn’t have the draft capital to make a competitive offer for players of Antetokounmpo’s caliber.
Milwaukee, however, represents a rare case. If Milwaukee decides to tank this year, the only possible way they can benefit from this decision is by trading with Atlanta to secure the rights for their first round selection this year. This does not mean he cannot be traded elsewhere; instead, if he is traded elsewhere, it will be because the Bucks accept a less competitive offer to mend their relationship with their franchise player.
Concerning draft assets, the Hawks could trade the Bucks the rights to two Milwaukee picks back, two Atlanta first round picks, two Atlanta first round swaps, and a 2028 swap involving Atlanta, Utah, and Cleveland. In total, these picks represent two high-value (likely lottery) picks, three late firsts, and two swaps. The swaps would presumably be of little value, as Atlanta will be much better than Milwaukee for the foreseeable future if they execute this trade.
The biggest mistake teams fall victim to when constructing a team, however, is fully depleting their draft capital. Luckily for Atlanta, they have proven young players they can send as a replacement for draft picks. The most obvious trade candidate is Jalen Johnson, an All-Star caliber player who plays a similar role to Antetokounmpo.
Outside of Johnson, the Hawks could offer some combination of Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu, and Asa Newell as exciting young players who could help Milwaukee reload for their next era of basketball. Of the five players listed, the Hawks ideally would like to keep at least one to flesh out the starting lineup. The Hawks ideally would retain Daniels, as his perfect fit next to Trae Young is irreplaceable.
It is hard to see how any team could beat a trade package centered around Jalen Johnson. He represents a star to build around going forward, even if he isn’t a true number one option. With Risacher and Okongwu available to flesh out the backcourt rotation, suddenly Milwaukee becomes a promising young team that is one guard away from having an excellent core to build around.
Neither team will feel pressured to make a move in the near future. As the trade deadline approaches, however, this pressure could escalate in Milwaukee. The Hawks hold the rights to the next two Milwaukee picks and have a package of young stars that no team can offer. Unless the Bucks take a less valuable offer to placate Antetokounmpo, Atlanta is his most likely destination if he is traded.