Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus floated a blockbuster trade idea sending Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks to the Hawks for a young, pick-heavy package.
A blockbuster NBA trade idea sending Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Atlanta Hawks has been drafted.
Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus proposed the following trade idea between the Bucks and Celtics:
Atlanta Hawks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andre Jackson Jr., $3 million trade exception.
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Zaccharie Risacher, Corey Kispert, Buddy Hield, Nos. 8 and 23, 2029 first-round pick, $2.4 million trade exception.
Pincus believes the trade isn't complicated and would help the Hawks continue building around young talent while adding a franchise-caliber player.
"It's not complicated. The Hawks add one of the NBA's best players to a talented, hungry, young roster already capable of competing at a high level," wrote Pincus.
"Atlanta has a fascinating team, with much of its shot creation from the forward position. First-time All-Star Jalen Johnson broke out. Dyson Daniels, though not a great shooter, is an elite defender and a Josh Hart-like player maker. Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets better every year, and Onyeka Okongwu plays bigger than his size," he added.
Blockbuster Trade
Antetokounmpo expressed his desire to play on a contending team after 13 seasons with the Bucks. He led the franchise to a title in 2021.
The Bucks forward is on a 3-year $175,369,698 million contract with a player option at the end of the 2027-28 season. Trading for him will cost Atlanta financially and may require parting ways with its No.8 overall 2026 draft pick.
"The price for Antetokounmpo may be steep, including No.8 in the upcoming draft and an unprotected 2029 selection, but Atlanta needs to beat out several competing offers," Pincus wrote.
"Fighting for top-11 pick protection in 2029 might be wise, but not if it scuttles a deal.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have been reluctant to trade their star forward, while fielding the market for trade packages. The franchise can extend him, but there is no guarantee that he would want to sign an extension.
Milwaukee is young and could utilize future draft picks while building around its young talent. Trading Antetokounmpo could open up cap space for the franchise.
Right now, the Bucks' core consists of Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis. Atlanta does have players and resources to make a compelling trade offer.
"Risacher was among the best rookies in 2024-25, but his scoring dipped from 12.6 to 9.6 points per game as a sophomore," wrote Pincus.
He added, "He shot well from three-point range (36.8 percent), but only started 46 games as the team shifted its focus to prioritize other players like Johnson, Daniels, Alexander-Walker, and Kuminga. The Bucks would better be able to feature and nurture the French scoring forward."
The Hawks have young talent that they can trade along with the No. 8 overall pick.
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