Lakers' expected interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo just took an unexpected turn

Just when it seemed as though the top suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo were well-established, the Atlanta Hawks provided the most unexpected twist to date. While powerhouses such as the Los Angeles Lakers are speculative favorites to lead the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, Atlanta may have found an in unlike any other.

With Antetokounmpo weighing his options and, for the first time in his decorated career, seriously considering requesting a trade, Atlanta is looking to join forces with his agent.

Antetokounmpo will have 30 suitors this coming offseason, including a Milwaukee Bucks team that will be determined to convince him to stay. It's unclear if Los Angeles can make an attractive enough trade offer to land the two-time MVP, but it'd be more surprising to see them refrain from reaching out than it would be to hear that they've already picked up the phone.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Hawks are considering a move that connects directly to Antetokounmpo: Hiring his agent, Alex Saratsis, as their next general manager.

"One agent to emerge as a potential candidate with the Hawks, league sources say, is Octagon's Alex Saratsis, who represents Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo and Miami's Bam Adebayo."

That could ultimately prove inconsequential in the long run, but Atlanta has the resources to make quite an offer for Antetokounmpo.

Hawks considering Giannis Antetokounmpo's agent for GM vacancy

One would like to think that Milwaukee will do its best to honor Antetokounmpo's potential trade request by sending him somewhere he wants to be. If any player has earned that respect, it's perhaps the greatest player in franchise history.

During his 12 seasons in Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo has ended its 50-year championship drought, won two MVP awards, and earned Defensive Player of the Year.

As such, it's fair to question if even a connection to Saratsis would be enough to make the Hawks a true contender to land Antetokounmpo. In saying that, the Bucks would have every reason to listen to an offer if Atlanta opts to submit one.

Atlanta has an embarrassment of riches as far as trade assets are concerned, including some combination of Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, and Trae Young.

Furthermore, Atlanta could offer as many as five future first-round draft picks, including the No. 13 and No. 22 selections in 2025. It could also include an additional three pick swaps. It's unlikely that even Antetokounmpo would command that type of package, but the option exists.

The Lakers, meanwhile, are only able to offer one first-round draft pick and three pick swaps—thus making the actual players included their primary method to appeal to Milwaukee.

Atlanta is far from the only team standing in Los Angeles' way, but increased competition is never ideal when negotiating with limited resources. That's the position that Rob Pelinka has found himself in barring an unforeseen development.

One can only hope that the Lakers can find a way to appeal to Antetokounmpo in a way that his agent isn't able to.