Atlanta wisely sidesteps a massive Giannis trade, prioritizing their developing core and preserving long-term flexibility over a high-stakes gamble.
The Atlanta Hawks have resisted the kind of move that can redefine a franchise overnight, opting instead for a slower, more deliberate path as trade speculation swirls around one of the NBA’s biggest stars.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is widely viewed as the type of player who can alter a team’s trajectory the moment he arrives. A two-time league MVP still operating at an elite level, Antetokounmpo remains one of the most dominant forces in basketball. If Atlanta wanted to make a dramatic push before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the opportunity exists.
The Hawks, however, have decided that the timing — and the cost — do not align with where the franchise currently stands.
While adding Antetokounmpo would instantly elevate Atlanta’s profile, league sources believe the price to acquire him would extend far beyond a single young player or future pick. Any serious offer would likely strip the roster of multiple core pieces and premium draft assets, leaving little margin to build a complete contender around him.
That reality carries additional risk given Antetokounmpo’s contract structure. With a player option looming in future seasons, any team trading for him would face immediate pressure to win and to secure his long-term commitment. For a Hawks team still shaping its identity, that urgency could become a liability rather than an advantage.
General manager Onsi Saleh has signaled a clear preference for continuity and flexibility. Atlanta’s front office believes the organization is better served by continuing to invest in its developing core rather than pushing its remaining assets into a single, high-stakes gamble.
That core has shown tangible progress. Jalen Johnson has emerged as a foundational piece with All-Star potential. Dyson Daniels has established himself as one of the league’s most impactful perimeter defenders, while continuing to grow offensively. Onyeka Okongwu has taken on a larger role in the frontcourt, providing defensive versatility and consistency.
Equally important, those players are under team-friendly, long-term contracts that preserve roster value and allow Atlanta to remain active in future markets. Rather than compressing its window, the Hawks believe patience gives them more pathways to improvement.
Atlanta’s draft outlook further supports that approach. The franchise controls several favorable future picks tied to teams with uncertain trajectories, including the New Orleans Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks. With evaluators projecting an unusually strong upcoming draft class, the Hawks view those assets as critical tools rather than expendable currency.
The organization also carries recent lessons. An earlier aggressive trade for Dejounte Murray cost Atlanta draft flexibility without producing sustained contention. Since then, the Hawks have worked to restore their asset base and reestablish a development-first model.
Antetokounmpo remains a franchise-altering talent, and the Hawks are not disputing his value. What they are weighing is context. His game thrives when surrounded by shooting and depth — areas Atlanta is still working to solidify. Acquiring him without the means to address those needs would create a narrow, fragile window.
Instead of forcing a move driven by urgency or optics, the Hawks are choosing patience — a strategy that has paid dividends for other organizations that resisted shortcuts and allowed their foundations to mature.
For now, Atlanta believes its best chance to build a sustainable contender lies not in a single headline-grabbing trade, but in continuing to develop what it already has while keeping future options open.