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Michael Scotto: Update: The Atlanta Hawks are trading Vit Krejci to the Portland Trail Blazers for Duop Reath and two future second-round picks, which includes Atlanta receiving its own 2027 second-round pick back and a New York Knicks 2030 second-round pick, league sources told
After being dealt from Atlanta to Cleveland this time last year, De'Andre Hunter has once again proven to be a prominent name on this season's trade market. He has also generated interest from the Bucks, with sources saying that Milwaukee has offered Kyle Kuzma and/or Bobby Portis Jr. in various frameworks. Yet those discussions began before the Bucks began fielding trade pitches in earnest for Antetokounmpo.
Onyeka Okongwu suffered a dental fracture when he was elbowed in the mouth in Atlanta's last game, and will be out at least for the Hawks' matchup with the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. Okongwu was elbowed by Boston guard Jaylen Brown as Brown possessed the ball in the fourth quarter of the Hawks' win on Wednesday night.
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The early indications are that Atlanta has not joined the Giannis chase and does not intend to. The Hawks do have control of Milwaukee's picks in the next two drafts but have shown no interest to date in surrendering control of them. The Hawks are likewise said to be unwilling to surrender Jalen Johnson in a theoretical Antetokounmpo deal ... even though Johnson's agent Rich Paul said in one of his recent podcasts that the Milwaukee native is precisely whom the Bucks should target.
Sources say that Atlanta has some level of reservation regarding the skillsets of Antetokounmpo and Johnson and how they would match after trading away Young in early January to make the 24-year-old their new centerpiece.
Talent representation firms On Time and Insight Sports Advisors are announcing a formal alliance between the two agencies. Atlanta-based On Time, founded by CEO and former NBAer Ramon Sessions in 2022, and L.A.-based ISA, founded by veteran sports agent and CEO Debbie Spander in 2021, will now co-represent clients together. Both agencies are remaining independent.
It’s early. But the Hawks’ front office has indicated that you could fit here long term. What does that mean to you? CJ McCollum: “I’m excited about the possibilities. I’m happy to be in Atlanta. I love the city. I love the team and the organization. The things that I’ve heard about them so far in my interaction with the team and the front office has been positive. So I’m excited about the possibilities. We’ll see what happens next.”
For the Bucks, that starts with one very easy ask of their superstar — take your time making your way back, Giannis. No hurry, really. Milwaukee is in the very odd position of being strongly incentivized to tank despite not controlling its own draft pick. The Bucks owe a pick swap from the Holiday trade that was since traded to Atlanta, which means the Hawks get the better of their pick or the New Orleans Pelicans’ and the Bucks get the worse of the two. But because New Orleans is so bad — with the league’s third-worst record at 12-36 through Sunday — Milwaukee still has real incentive to tank. The scenario exists in which the Bucks lose their swap … and still end up with the second pick in the draft! Remember, too, even if Milwaukee’s own pick ends up conveying at No. 1 to Atlanta, the Bucks would still benefit, because they’d vault up to the Pelicans’ position.
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Indiana Pacers: Injury Report for tomorrow’s game at Atlanta: Quenton Jackson - Questionable (right ankle sprain) Bennedict Mathurin - Questionable (right thumb sprain) Obi Toppin - Out (right foot stress fracture) Tyrese Haliburton - Out (right Achilles tendon tear)
Grizzlies PR: Status Update: Santi Aldama is doubtful tonight vs. Atlanta.
Sean Grande: A thoroughly insane 52-point quarter for the Celtics tonight in Atlanta (3 shy of the NBA record). They lead the Hawks, 82-51. Boston went 11-15 from 3 in the quarter (Sam Hauser 6-6, Anfernee Simons 3-4). 11 3's ties the NBA record (OKC did it at Utah last month). Jaylen Brown 29; Sam Hauser 21
John Karalis: Payton Pritchard is doubtful for tomorrow vs Atlanta with Left Ankle Soreness. Josh Minott remains out with the ankle sprain
