The Milwaukee Bucks may have just found a lifeline to their championship hopes, and it comes in the form of an All-Star point guard who has been the face of the Atlanta Hawks for years.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has proposed a blockbuster three-team trade that would shake up the Eastern Conference by sending Trae Young to the Bucks to pair with Giannis Antetokounmpo, forming one of the most dynamic duos in the NBA.
With Damian Lillard sidelined due to a torn Achilles and the Bucks under increasing pressure to convince Giannis to stay long-term, this potential trade swings for the fences.
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Jordan Poole, Marcus Smart, Andre Jackson Jr., Tyler Smith, 2031 Milwaukee Bucks unprotected first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick swap (via Bucks or Pelicans), 2030 first-round pick swap (via Bucks or Blazers)
Washington Wizards Receive: Damian Lillard, 2025 No. 47 pick, 2031 Milwaukee Bucks second-round pick
The Bucks Rebuild Around Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee is in a tough spot. They no longer have cap space, their core is aging, and their trade flexibility has been limited since acquiring Lillard. But with Lillard potentially out for most or all of the 2025–26 season, Giannis needs a new running mate, someone who can help shoulder the offensive load and keep the Bucks in the playoff hunt.
Enter Trae Young.
Young is 26, in the prime of his career, and just led the NBA in assists with 11.6 per game while averaging 24.2 points. He’s not as polished defensively as Lillard, but he’s a better playmaker and just as much of a scoring threat from deep.
His gravity and court vision could unlock Giannis in ways Lillard hadn’t fully done yet. And with Young’s contract situation more favorable than Lillard’s in terms of age and longevity, the Bucks would also save over $12 million in salary, critical for maintaining flexibility under the new CBA.
The added savings could allow Milwaukee to re-sign Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, and still use both the non-taxpayer mid-level exception and bi-annual exception in free agency. Surrounding Giannis and Trae with size, defense, and spacing suddenly looks much more feasible.
This move would also send a strong message to Giannis: the Bucks aren’t standing still.
The Hawks Commit To A Rebuild
For Atlanta, Trae Young’s trade value is difficult to pin down. He’s a 4-time All-Star, but he hasn’t made an All-NBA team since 2022. With one year left before he can become a free agent, unless extended for a max of four years, $229 million, the Hawks face a crossroads.
Rather than committing nearly $60 million annually to Young into his 30s, this trade allows them to pivot toward a more balanced and defensively viable backcourt.
Jordan Poole gives them offensive upside on a friendlier contract. He’s coming off his best season (20.5 PPG, 37.8% from three) and is only 25.
Marcus Smart brings championship pedigree, defense, and leadership, plus he’s on an expiring deal.
Tyler Smith and Andre Jackson Jr. are promising young pieces, while the unprotected 2031 Bucks pick could be gold if Giannis declines in his late 30s.
Throw in two swap rights in 2026 and 2030, and the Hawks would walk away with a diverse haul of picks, prospects, and veterans to remain competitive while preparing for the future.
The Wizards Play Middleman
The Washington Wizards are deep into their rebuild and have zero expectations for the next 12 months. Trading for Damian Lillard, who’s injured and on a massive contract, may seem counterintuitive, but it actually works perfectly in their favor.
Lillard can mentor young guards while recovering, then act as a $58.5 million expiring asset in 2026. Washington could trade him, use its cap space, or negotiate a cheaper multi-year deal depending on how the season goes. They essentially buy a future lottery ticket by taking on his contract now.
In return, they get two second-round picks, including the No. 47 overall selection in 2025. It’s a small price to pay for helping two contenders complete a deal.
If they want more than picks, Washington could ask for Tyler Smith or Andre Jackson Jr. instead, a likely scenario if they prefer prospect development over draft positioning.
This Trade Gives The Bucks Another Chance
If executed, this trade could reshape the East. The Bucks become instant contenders again with a Giannis–Trae Young pairing that brings both youth and electricity.
Atlanta can reset around Dyson Daniels, Poole, and a treasure trove of assets while preserving cap flexibility. And the Wizards, without much to lose, gain future assets and an intriguing trade chip in Lillard down the line.
With Giannis reportedly cooling on the idea of leaving Milwaukee, after initial speculation that he was open to exploring other teams, this is the kind of swing the Bucks might need to keep the face of their franchise happy and chasing titles.
An explosive trade. A franchise pivot. And potentially, a new contender in the East.
