Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Lakers
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Luka Doncic could have Giannis Antetokounmpo as his lob partner for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ long-shot hopes of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo hit a roadblock this week as the Milwaukee Bucks secured the return of the superstar’s older brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, on a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
The move is widely viewed as another signal that the two-time MVP intends to remain in Milwaukee, at least in the near term. But the Lakers, along with several other teams, are not ready to abandon their pursuit, according to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Bucks are projecting a “never-had-a-doubt” confidence about Giannis’ future, Stein noted. Yet, multiple teams continue to keep a close watch on the situation.
“The truth, furthermore, is that I’m not sure the knowledge Antetokounmpo has opted for the status quo will do much to dissuade teams that still dream of luring him away from continuing such plotting behind closed doors,” Stein wrote in his Substack newsletter, “The Stein Line.” “I can think of at least six or seven teams that have been anticipating an opportunity to make a credible trade run at him … and I suspect that list, in actuality, is longer than mine reads.”
Lakers Strategically Positioned
The Lakers have been preserving cap flexibility this summer, resisting long-term deals as they prepare for potential free agency opportunities in 2027 when Antetokounmpo or Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic could become unrestricted free agents.
With Thanasis back in Milwaukee, Giannis is effectively locked in for the start of next season. Still, if the Bucks encounter turbulence, trade chatter could flare up again.
According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, if the Lakers and Bucks ever engaged in serious trade talks for Giannis, undrafted guard Austin Reaves would almost certainly be at the center of the discussion.
“It’s almost a surefire thing that if the Lakers and the Bucks get into trade negotiations for Giannis, the first name in terms of players that Milwaukee is going to ask about is Reaves,” Irwin said on the “Lakers Lounge” podcast last month. “And then it’s like, well, ‘Do you want Giannis or do you want to try to keep Reaves here?’”
Reaves’ Rising Value
Austin Reaves
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves continues to be mentioned in NBA trade rumors.
Reaves turned down a four-year, $89.2 million offer from the Lakers earlier this offseason, opting to bet on himself in free agency next summer. If he declines his $14.9 million player option for 2026-27, the 26-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent.
Lakers beat reporter Jovan Buha predicted that Reaves could command a deal of four years and $120-plus million, a massive leap for a player who entered the league undrafted just four years ago. His efficient scoring, playmaking, and toughness have made him one of the Lakers’ most reliable options behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis and later on, Luka Dončić.
Post-LeBron Planning
With LeBron entering the twilight of his career, the Lakers’ front office is looking at the long-term picture. Both Antetokounmpo and Dončić are considered potential cornerstones for a post-LeBron era in Los Angeles.
However, the Lakers lack abundant trade assets. Beyond Reaves, they hold only one tradable first-round pick (2031 or 2032) and a second-rounder in 2032. Financial flexibility largely lies in expiring contracts, including LeBron’s $52.6 million option. Additional first-round assets will become available next summer, potentially giving Los Angeles more leverage if Antetokounmpo or Jokic enters unrestricted free agency.
For now, the Bucks’ move to bring back Thanasis underscores Milwaukee’s intent to keep Giannis, while the Lakers remain on the sidelines, waiting and hoping that the dream of pairing of Dončić with another MVP may still have a chance in the future.