The Atlanta Hawks probably won't pursue a trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason. Find out why.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Atlanta Hawks are not expected to pursue a trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason.
The Hawks lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2026 playoffs in six games.
"Yet I've received no indication to this point that the Hawks have designs on pursuing Antetokounmpo via trade this summer," Fischer wrote. "Sources say that Atlanta is not eager to splurge for major roster additions, preferring to focus on internal improvement and addressing the futures of CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga along with coach Quin Snyder (who has only one season left on his current contract).
"My early read is that Atlanta's disastrous Game 6 home loss to the Knicks, which stunningly saw the Hawks fall behind 72-22, is unlikely to change Atlanta's approach. I spent quite a bit of time around the Hawks during the New York series and came away with the distinct impression that team officials are encouraged by Atlanta's second-half improvement and buoyed by the measured approach they feel they took in revamping the roster by trading away former All-Stars Trae Young and Kristaps Porziņģis in January and February."
The Bucks are expected to trade Antetokounmpo this offseason. The Hawks have been linked to Antetokounmpo in the past, but it appears Atlanta has moved on.
Antetokounmpo will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The forward is eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension with the Bucks on October 1. If he declines the extension, Antetokounmpo will be traded, according to Milwaukee co-owner Wes Edens.
The Hawks went 46-36 this season. Atlanta hasn't won a playoff series since 2021. That's the year Young led the franchise to the conference finals.
Jalen Johnson is the franchise player in Atlanta in the post-Young era. The Bucks would certainly ask for Johnson in Antetokounmpo trade talks. It doesn't make sense for the Hawks to acquire Antetokounmpo if it means parting ways with Johnson, who is only 24.
It will be interesting to see what the Hawks' roster looks like next season. After trading Young and Porziņģis this season, Atlanta is building around Johnson and Dyson Daniels.
Hawks Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Hawks. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.