The Atlanta Hawks are playing the long game - and they're doing it with purpose.
While the NBA rumor mill continues to churn with speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future, don’t count the Hawks among the teams lining up for a blockbuster bid. According to multiple league insiders, Atlanta isn’t looking to jump into the Giannis sweepstakes right now - and they’ve got their reasons.
Let’s start with the assets. The Hawks hold some serious leverage when it comes to Milwaukee’s future.
They control the Bucks’ first-round picks for the next two drafts, which could become extremely valuable if Milwaukee’s current core begins to unravel. That alone puts Atlanta in a strong position - not just for a potential trade, but as a team with flexibility and long-term vision.
But here’s the key: the Hawks aren’t itching to cash in those chips. They’ve shown no interest in giving up control of those picks, and they’re also reportedly unwilling to include rising star Jalen Johnson in any hypothetical deal for Antetokounmpo.
And that’s not just posturing. Johnson, the 24-year-old forward who’s taken on a larger role since the Hawks traded Trae Young in early January, is now the centerpiece of Atlanta’s rebuild.
He’s shown flashes of being a true two-way force - long, athletic, and increasingly confident with the ball in his hands. The Hawks clearly believe he’s more than just a promising young player; they see him as foundational.
That belief is so strong that even if Atlanta could somehow land Antetokounmpo without giving up Johnson, they still might pass. According to sources, the team has concerns about how Giannis and Johnson would fit together on the floor.
Both are dominant in the paint, both need space to operate, and both are at their best when the offense runs through them. That overlap could create more questions than answers - especially for a team that just handed the keys to Johnson and is trying to build a new identity around him.
There’s also a financial angle here. Atlanta is keeping a close eye on its cap sheet, and a massive deal for a superstar like Giannis would come with major long-term implications. Instead of going all-in for a win-now move, the Hawks appear committed to a more methodical approach - maintaining flexibility, developing their young core, and using their draft assets wisely.
It’s a measured strategy, but one that makes sense given where the franchise is right now. The Hawks aren’t chasing headlines. They’re building something - and they’re doing it on their own terms.