Zach Lowe breaks down why Atlanta Hawks are best trade team for Giannis, but one player is a ‘deal-breaker’

The deal-breaker player that could prevent a Giannis Antetokounmpo Atlanta Hawks trade

The Hawks were stuck in a Trae Young contract dilemma all offseason, as they weighed whether to pay the four-time NBA All-Star. He’s a proven talent that has taken the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals, but there’s a real possibility that the team have reached their ceiling with Young.

There were high hopes ahead of the season in Atlanta, but instead, the team is fighting for a play-in spot once again, unable to crack the top six of the Eastern Conference. So perhaps now is the time to make a big swing and offer the Bucks a proven star in return for Antetokounmpo.

Speaking on the Zach Lowe Show, Lowe explained why he thinks that’s the best destination for him. He said, “I’m just going to come out and say it right off the bat: I think Atlanta is the best trade destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo and for the Bucks.

“The very simple reason is that the Bucks are going to have to aim, as I’ve said before, much more at the future than at staying relevant now.

Who says no in this Giannis Antetokounmpo Atlanta Hawks trade?

Who says no to this trade?

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“The challenge is, they don’t control their picks, and so the easiest solution is to get their own picks back. That’s where they go… to Atlanta.

“From Atlanta, the Bucks can potentially get their picks back: They can get the 2026 pick (either the New Orleans pick or their own, whichever is better), or potentially both. They can get a piece of their own 2027 pick back.

“While we can sit here and negotiate who’s in the trade, I think if you built a trade around Trae Young and Zaccharie Risacher, plus those two draft assets and other draft assets, it works.

“The Hawks will likely hang on to Jalen Johnson for dear life, and I actually think that’s going to be a deal-breaker for them.

“I don’t think they do it if the Bucks demand Jalen Johnson. The Hawks like the way they’re playing now; they are seeking an answer to the Trae Young question, and this one could fall into their lap. I don’t know if that’s going to be enough for Milwaukee.”

Why Jalen Johnson is so important to the Atlanta Hawks

In his fifth year in Atlanta, Johnson has developed into a star for the Hawks. He’s putting up career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists, averaging 23, 10, and 7 early in the season.

At 6’8”, Johnson is a classic example of the modern point forward, able to run the floor and get his teammates shots even at his size. He’s an elite rebounder and a true two-way threat with his ability to guard multiple positions on the other side of the floor.

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Young hasn’t played since October, and it’s been Johnson who has stepped up to lead the team in his absence. He had 41, 14, and 7 in an overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers.

But while Johnson is a dynamic young star with a high upside, but if he proves to be the sticking point between landing Antetokounmpo or not, then the Hawks should just bite the bullet.

Being able to trade for a generational talent is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and not one they can pass on for the sake of Johnson.