Atlanta Hawks ahead Jalen Johnson isn’t on the desk in potential trades for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources informed NBA insider Marc Stein on The Stein Line. The Hawks are prioritizing Johnson’s growth and think about him as a cornerstone for the franchise’s future.
Johnson, 24, is within the first 12 months of a five-year, $150 million deal and has averaged 22.9 factors, 10.4 rebounds, and eight.0 assists over 59 video games this season, main Atlanta in scoring. His agent, Wealthy Paul, had publicly prompt him as a commerce goal for the Bucks, however the Hawks have persistently rejected such concepts.
The crew believes Johnson has MVP-caliber potential and needs to concentrate on wins reasonably than draft positioning, Stein reported. Atlanta presently holds the eighth seed within the Japanese Convention at 36-31 and has been constructing momentum with a nine-game profitable streak.
Atlanta additionally dismissed commerce curiosity in middle Onyeka Okongwu through the season, regardless of inquiries from groups just like the Indiana Pacers.
Whereas Antetokounmpo, 31, is within the first 12 months of a three-year, $175 million cope with a participant choice, Atlanta has made clear it won’t use Johnson as a bargaining chip. The Hawks’ technique facilities on maximizing participant growth and aggressive positioning for the playoffs reasonably than pursuing high-profile trades.
