The Atlanta Hawks are doing their due diligence when it comes to the possibility of trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo - but they’ve drawn a clear line in the sand: Jalen Johnson isn’t on the table.
According to league sources, the Hawks have legitimate interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. That’s no surprise - we’re talking about a two-time MVP, a Finals MVP, and one of the most dominant two-way forces in the game.
But despite that level of star power, Atlanta is reportedly unwilling to include Johnson in any potential deal. That’s a bold stance, especially when Giannis is the prize.
And here’s why: Johnson isn’t just a promising young player anymore - he’s blossoming into a legitimate star in his own right. The 24-year-old forward, a Wisconsin native from Wausau, is putting up eye-popping numbers this season: 23.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game.
That’s not just production - that’s all-around impact. He’s become a central piece of Atlanta’s future, and the Hawks seem to know it.
Meanwhile in Milwaukee, the Giannis situation continues to simmer. The Bucks have made it clear to other teams: Antetokounmpo is not available.
They’re focused on building around him, not moving him - at least for now. The front office is actively exploring trade options to bolster the roster, especially targeting help on the wing.
It’s a signal they’re still all-in on competing with Giannis at the core.
But that doesn’t mean the noise around him is going away anytime soon.
Earlier this month, Antetokounmpo addressed the uncertainty surrounding his future. When asked about conversations between his agent and the Bucks, he made it clear that he hasn’t personally had those talks - and that his agent is free to handle business as needed.
“If my agent is talking to the Bucks about it, he is his own person,” Giannis said. “He can have any conversation he wants about it.
At the end of the day, I don’t work for my agent; my agent works for me. And there’s going to be conversations that are going to be made between him and the Bucks, and him and his other players, and him and other teams and other GMs, executives around the league.
It’s something that you can’t control. But at the end of the day, I personally have not had the conversation with the Bucks.”
That’s classic Giannis - candid, grounded, and focused on what he can control. But it also leaves the door wide open for speculation, especially with his current injury status. He’s out with a right calf strain, and there’s no clear timeline for his return.
Then there’s the contract situation. Giannis is earning $54.1 million this season, with a player option looming in 2027-28 worth $62.8 million. Notably, he doesn’t have a no-trade clause - which means the Bucks have full control of any potential trade scenario, should it ever come to that.
Before the season tipped off, Antetokounmpo reportedly requested a trade, with the New York Knicks as his preferred destination. Talks between Milwaukee and New York didn’t materialize into a deal, but the Knicks remain in the mix of teams watching the situation closely.
They’re not alone. The Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and, of course, the Hawks are all teams that have been linked to the Greek Freak.
But for now, Milwaukee is standing pat, and Atlanta is holding firm on Johnson. It’s a high-stakes standoff, with one of the league’s brightest stars at the center - and a rising one the Hawks aren’t ready to let go.