Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers
Headlines across the league have been dominated by Giannis Antetokounmpo in recent days, following reports that a potential split with the Milwaukee Bucks could be looming.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home,” a development that has put several franchises on alert, with multiple teams already making what he described as “aggressive” approaches for the 10-time All-Star.
Charania added that the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors are among the teams seriously monitoring the situation.
But another, more unexpected suitor may also be lurking.
Lakers Emerge as Dark-Horse Giannis Antetokounmpo Suitor
According to The Ringer’s Howard Beck, the Los Angeles Lakers are a team worth keeping an eye on if Antetokounmpo’s future truly comes into question.
“I was told recently that the Lakers were a team to keep an eye from Giannis’ standpoint just as another team of interest,” Beck said on ‘The Zach Lowe Show’, via Silver Screen and Roll.
“But, again, there’s a difficulty there in terms of trade assets. They’re another team where, once the summer comes, they got more on the draft capital side of things and they got more clarity once they figure out where LeBron is or isn’t and where Austin Reaves is because he’s a free agent.”
Milwaukee is reportedly seeking a “blue-chip young talent” alongside a significant haul of draft picks in any deal involving Antetokounmpo. On paper, those demands place the Lakers at a big disadvantage.
Los Angeles currently controls only one tradable first-round pick and would need to rely heavily on expiring contracts, plus second-year guard Dalton Knecht, whose trade value has been described as limited by multiple reports.
That said, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin has noted that the Lakers are exploring creative pathways to expand their asset pool, including the possibility of trading either their 2031 or 2032 first-round pick in exchange for multiple future selections.
Such a move would dramatically increase their flexibility in any high-end trade pursuit.
Lakers’ Asset Puzzle and Bold Trade Concepts
While a deal for Antetokounmpo before February 5 would be extremely difficult, the Lakers are not entirely without options.
They can still include pick swaps, which Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey recently highlighted in a hypothetical blockbuster scenario.
Bailey proposed a package centered around Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, a 2031 first-round pick, and pick swaps in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032.
“What this deal lacks in star power headed back to Milwaukee, it largely makes up for in draft capital,” Bailey wrote. “No, pick swaps aren’t as valuable as unprotected firsts, but that does give the Bucks some hope. And by 2031, when Giannis is near 40, a first-rounder from the Lakers could be worth a lot.
“On top of that, there is a lot of movable salary here that Milwaukee could later repurpose in other trades. And while Dalton Knecht doesn’t look like a game-changing prospect, he does give the Bucks a bit of young talent for the next era.”
Given that general manager Rob Pelinka managed to land Luka Doncic at last year’s deadline for a surprisingly modest price, few would rule anything out entirely.
Why the Offseason May Matter More
Even setting aside a dramatic, and unlikely, in-season move, the Lakers’ clearest opportunity to reshape the roster may come in the summer.
LeBron James and Austin Reaves are both projected to hit free agency, and Los Angeles is expected to have more than $55 million in available cap space, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Flipping a distant first-round pick now for multiple earlier selections could open up access to additional first-rounders and unlock far more trade constructions, both before the deadline but also in the offseason.
The Phoenix Suns took a similar approach last season when they turned their lone tradable 2031 first-round pick into three future selections via a deal with Utah.
It also remains unclear whether Milwaukee will ultimately move Antetokounmpo before the deadline.
Charania’s report stopped short of stating that he has requested a trade, instead suggesting the Bucks are simply listening to offers for their superstar.
If no resolution is reached by February 5, a much wider and more chaotic summer bidding war may be waiting.