Lakers would be “very viable” Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason
NBA teams that are very interested in bringing in Giannis Antetokounmpo in via trade they may have to act now, so as not to risk the empire that is Los Angeles Lakers joined the sweepstakes for a Milwaukee Bucks star. Although there were earlier reports indicating that The Bucks would rather trade Antetokounmpo before the deadline, there’s always a chance he’ll stay at least through this offseason.
If that happens, the Lakers, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, must be taken into account a realistic destination for Antetokounmpo. After all, they will have a lot of cap space in the offseason, as about $95 million will come off their books.
“If the Bucks ultimately decide to carry this saga over to that spring, the Lakers would, league sources say, really become a very viable threat for the No. 34 pick,” Stein wrote. “The hope for the Purple and Gold would then be to use their significant projected salary cap space to land a contract like Antetokounmpo via trade — or another expensive star if he’s lost after the playoffs — to pair with backcourt cornerstones Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.”
“Dealing with the Lakers in such a scenario would almost certainly spare the Bucks from being saddled with unwanted contracts.”
The Lakers have a different shot
Will the Lakers’ exceptionalism re-emerge in the pursuit of Antetokounmpo? There’s a chance it is. After all, there’s not much that compares to the glitz and glamor that comes with playing for one of the league’s most storied franchises in the NBA’s biggest market.
Still, even if it is The Lakers failed to trade for Antetokounmpo when the offseason comes (which they most likely will given that they lack draft funds and young players to attract the Bucks), they can still pursue him in 2027, an offseason they’re keeping their books clean for.
2026-02-04 05:27:00
