NBA Trade Rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo Linked to Potential Mega-Deal to Atlanta

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by Cristian Andal

Giannis Antetokounmpo Linked to Potential Mega-Deal to Atlanta
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is rumored to be in a potential trade to Atlanta. Photo: Getty Images.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks remains uncertain, and it’s fueling some bold trade scenarios. On August 4, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that the two-time MVP is still considering his long-term direction with the franchise he’s called home for over a decade.

That uncertainty inspired Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes to sketch out a blockbuster swap between the Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks — one that would shake up the Eastern Conference.

Proposed Trade:

Hawks Get: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bucks Get: Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, 2026 first-round pick swap (most favorable between Milwaukee and New Orleans), 2027 first-round pick (least favorable between the two), 2030 first-round pick.

For Atlanta, the addition of Antetokounmpo would instantly create a star-studded core. He would join forces with Trae Young, last season’s league leader in assists (11.6 per game) who also posted 24.2 points per contest. With the Hawks recently landing Kristaps Porziņģis in a trade from Boston, this hypothetical “Big Three” could be one of the most dynamic combinations in the NBA.

Milwaukee, in turn, would receive an enticing mix of youth and future assets. Johnson has blossomed into a versatile forward, while Risacher — the No. 1 pick in 2024 — offers elite two-way potential. The draft compensation could also give the Bucks flexibility to rebuild or retool on the fly.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Linked to Potential Mega-Deal to Atlanta
Photo: Milwaukee Bucks.

Antetokounmpo, now 30, remains among the league’s most dominant forces. Last season, he put up 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists on an eye-popping 60.1% shooting clip. Yet despite his heroics, the Bucks suffered their second straight first-round playoff exit, falling to the Indiana Pacers. Since winning the 2021 NBA championship, Milwaukee has managed just one postseason series victory.

The Greek Freak is under contract thanks to a three-year, $175 million extension signed in October 2023, with no no-trade clause to restrict potential moves. He’s already a two-time MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and a nine-time All-Star — accolades that cement his Hall of Fame trajectory.

Interestingly, the Hawks and Bucks last met in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, where Milwaukee prevailed in six games before capturing the title. Seeing Young and Antetokounmpo on the same side rather than opposite benches would be a storyline for the ages.

Whether this trade is realistic remains unclear, but if Milwaukee chooses to entertain offers, Atlanta’s combination of high-ceiling talent and draft picks could put them at the front of the line.