Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Sees Atlanta Hawks Acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo From Milwaukee Bucks

A blockbuster NBA trade proposal has been suggested, involving the Atlanta Hawks acquiring superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The specific trade idea, created by Connor Thoms of Bleacher Report, would send Antetokounmpo to Atlanta. In return, the Bucks would receive Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Kobe Bufkin, four first-round draft picks, and a pick swap.

This proposed trade would pair Antetokounmpo with Atlanta's All-Stars Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis, creating a formidable "Big 3" on paper. This potential lineup emerges in a wide-open Eastern Conference, further impacted by the absence of key players like Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum next season.

The trade idea surfaces amid reports from NBA insider Shams Charania that Antetokounmpo was "open-minded" about leaving Milwaukee for the first time in his career. This followed the Bucks' first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers in five games during the 2025 postseason. Antetokounmpo, drafted 15th overall by Milwaukee in 2013, has spent his entire career with the franchise.

Since Charania's report, the Bucks have made roster changes, including waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, signing Myles Turner and Gary Harris, and re-signing Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims. Despite these moves, many around the NBA believe the Bucks don't appear to be championship contenders on paper in the current Eastern Conference landscape, leading to speculation that Antetokounmpo should request a trade this offseason.

The context includes the Bucks winning the championship in 2021 but having won only one playoff series since that title run. Antetokounmpo, widely considered one of the NBA's best players and arguably one of its top all-time players, is coming off an All-NBA First Team season where he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 blocks. His accolades include two MVPs, one Finals MVP, one Defensive Player of the Year award, and nine All-Star selections, with career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks. He is under contract, set to make $54.1 million next season as part of a three-year, $175 million extension signed in 2023, and is considered a future Hall of Famer. The central question remains whether Antetokounmpo will stay with Milwaukee or request a trade.