NBA Trade Rumors: Could Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo Team Up With $215,159,700 Atlanta Hawks to Improve Title Odds?
In a bold trade proposal that has the potential to shake up the NBA landscape, the
Atlanta Hawks
have been linked to a blockbuster deal that would land them two-time
MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo
from the
Milwaukee Bucks
.
The trade idea, first floated by Connor Thoms of Bleacher Report, suggests Atlanta could be an unexpected suitor for the Greek Freak, especially in a rapidly changing Eastern Conference.
Proposed Trade Breakdown
Here's how the trade would look according to Thoms' hypothetical scenario:
Atlanta Hawks Receive
Milwaukee Bucks Receive
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jalen Johnson
Zaccharie Risacher
Kobe Bufkin
Four first-round picks
One pick swap
This package gives Milwaukee a mix of promising young players and future draft capital, while Atlanta forms a formidable 'Big 3' with Antetokounmpo joining All-Stars Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis.
Eastern Conference Shake-Up
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image via Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)
If executed, this deal would dramatically alter the balance of power in the East. With Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton and Boston's
Jayson Tatum
both expected to miss the upcoming season due to injuries, the door is open for a new contender to rise.
Pairing Giannis with Trae and Porzingis offers Atlanta a lethal combination of speed, size, and shot-making that could push them deep into the playoffs.
Antetokounmpo's Uncertain Future
According to ESPN's Shams Charania,
Giannis Antetokounmpo
is reportedly 'open-minded' about leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career.
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That openness comes after the Bucks' disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, who dispatched them in five games.
Ashish Mathur, who reported on the trade idea for NBA Analysis Network, emphasized the weight of such a move: 'It will be intriguing to see if Antetokounmpo stays with Milwaukee or requests a trade.'
Giannis has been loyal to Milwaukee since being selected 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Over his 12 seasons with the Bucks, he's helped transform the franchise into a perennial playoff team and led them to an NBA title in 2021.
Bucks' Recent Moves Signal Change
Since their playoff exit, the Bucks have been active in retooling their roster:
- Waived and stretched Damian Lillard
- Signed Myles Turner and Gary Harris
- Re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims
Despite these moves, Milwaukee doesn't currently look like a true title contender, prompting growing speculation that a Giannis trade may become a reality.
Giannis Antetokounmpo by the Numbers
The Greek Freak remains one of the league's most dominant forces. Last season, he earned All-NBA First Team honors while posting monster stats:
Stat Category
2024-2025 Season Average
Points
30.4
Rebounds
11.9
Assists
6.5
Steals
0.9
Blocks
1.2
He's also locked into a lucrative three-year, $175 million extension signed in 2023, with a salary of $54.1 million for the upcoming season.
A Hall of Fame Trajectory
Already etched in NBA history, Antetokounmpo's resume includes:
- 2× MVP
- 1× NBA Finals MVP
- 1× Defensive Player of the Year
- 9× All-Star
- 2021 NBA Champion
With career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game, Giannis is all but guaranteed to be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
While this trade remains hypothetical, it underlines a major question heading into the 2025-26 season: will Giannis remain loyal to Milwaukee, or is it finally time for a new chapter?
Also read:
NBA Trade News: Los Angeles Lakers Sign Marcus Smart with a $11 Million Deal; High-Stakes Move for Defensive Reinforcement
With Atlanta positioning itself as a bold contender and the Bucks seemingly at a crossroads, the NBA world will be watching closely. Would Giannis actually leave the only NBA home he's ever known to chase another ring in Atlanta?
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