The Milwaukee Bucks enter the 2025-26 campaign with a retooled roster after an offseason focused on building a contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Following their third consecutive first-round playoff exit and Damian Lillard’s torn Achilles, the Bucks waived the star point guard to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal. Milwaukee also managed to re-sign several key contributors from the 2024-25 season, including Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince and Ryan Rollins.
Still, the club will rely heavily on Antetokounmpo to carry much of the playmaking and scoring load if it hopes to contend for a title. Should Milwaukee struggle to remain competitive in a wide-open Eastern Conference, the two-time MVP could request a trade to a contender.
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Hawks land Giannis Antetokounmpo in mock trade
Speculation about Antetokounmpo’s future has been rampant this offseason. While it appears unlikely the Bucks would give up their franchise cornerstone, continued struggles could open the door for a trade.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale recently put together a mock trade sending Antetokounmpo to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for a rising star and draft capital.
Here’s Favale’s proposal:
Bucks receive: Jalen Johnson, Josh Green, 2026 first-round pick (most favorable of MKE and NOP, via ATL), 2027 first-round pick (least favorable of MKE and NOP, via ATL; top-four protected), 2028 first-round pick (MIL, via POR), 2029 first-round pick (ATL), 2030 first-round pick swap (ATL)
Hawks receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Hornets receive: Onyeka Okongwu
Trail Blazers receive: 2027 first-round pick (second-most favorable of CHA, DAL and MIA, via CHA), 2028 first-round pick swap (ATL), 2029 first-round pick (least favorable of CLE, MIN and UTA, via CHA)
The Hawks are an emerging team in the Eastern Conference, and replacing Johnson with Antetokounmpo would instantly elevate their status. The 23-year-old forward impressed in the 2024-25 campaign before suffering a season-ending torn labrum in his left shoulder on Jan. 23, and he could be a key piece for Milwaukee’s rebuild.
While trading Antetokounmpo would certainly be a difficult decision, the Bucks would land a rising star and significant draft capital in this proposed deal.
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