Hawks Report: Very positive development in Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes

Every single team in the league should be scrambling to put together a package for Antetokounmpo, with most viewing the Rockets and Spurs as the favorites, given their ability to offer young pieces and enticing draft picks.

It’s fair to say those two teams could put together the best trade package, but in the NBA, the stars have what some would call too much control. Giannis Antetokounmpo has done a lot for the Bucks, including delivering the team an NBA championship. They want to do right by him, so if a comparable offer comes from an Eastern Conference team, the Bucks will likely abide by Antetokounmpo’s wishes.

Given the Bucks don’t own their own first-round pick until 2031, they aren’t going to be looking to tank. They need players that can help them win now, along with picks to help them rebuild. The Hawks can offer both, using Jalen Johnson and a combination of Dyson Daniels/Onyeka Okongwu/Zaccharie Risacher as the centerpieces. Atlanta also owns two first-round picks in this year’s draft (#13 and #22), and while they don’t own their own first-round pick for several years, they can move future first-round picks that could be very valuable when the time comes.

It’s still a long shot, some might even say a pipe dream, but I do expect the Hawks to be at the front of the line pounding the table for Giannis Antetokounmpo if he decides to force a trade this offseason.