The Atlanta Hawks faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 Eastern Conference finals, a series Milwaukee won in six games.
The Bucks went on to win the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns in six games, with Giannis Antetokounmpo winning the Finals MVP award.
Since 2021, neither the Hawks nor Bucks have had postseason success. Milwaukee has won only one postseason series, while Atlanta hasn't won any.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported on May 12 that Antetokounmpo is open-minded about leaving the Bucks this offseason.
Not only did the Indiana Pacers defeat Milwaukee in the first round of this year's playoffs in five games, but Damian Lillard also tore his left Achilles tendon in Game 4. The All-Star point guard could miss all of next season.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)
© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
If Antetokounmpo requests a trade, some believe the Hawks should pursue a trade for the two-time MVP.
Atlanta legend and two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Dominique Wilkins, who does TV for the Hawks, would love to see Antetokounmpo next to Trae Young.
“Man, that’s a blockbuster deal right there," Wilkins told Kyle Odegard of Esports Insider. "Who wouldn’t want Giannis? I’d be lying if I said anything differently. Oh, man, it is a lot you’d have to give up to get a guy like that.
"If you can land a guy like that – someone who still has a lot left in the tank, since Giannis is not an old man by any stretch of the imagination – there’s not a team in the league who wouldn’t want him.”
Antetokounmpo has career averages of 23.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks. He signed a three-year, $175 million extension with the Bucks in October 2023.
A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks this season. He made the All-NBA First Team.
It will be fascinating to see if Antetokounmpo stays with the Bucks or is on a new team next season.