You’re Rob Pelinka, and you wanted to go back-to-back years by pulling off one of the most massive trades in NBA history.
Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers pickpocketed Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks by getting Luka Doncic in the purple and gold by only letting go of a single first-round pick alongside aging superstar Anthony Davis.
This season, with Milwaukee Bucks kingpin Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s not going to be as simple.
For one, unlike the Mavericks, the entire league is making offers for the multi-time MVP, unlike Doncic, for whom no one but the Lakers knew he was available.
But, if you’re Pelinka, what is the best offer you can put on the table for the Bucks to consider?
To begin, every piece of draft capital the team somehow kept during the Doncic transaction is going to the Bucks. When compared to other teams like the Warriors, the Lakers don’t have as many first-rounders they can flip to the Bucks, so every eligible premium pick and swap is thrown in.
Next, they do have a young player entering his prime who might interest the Bucks. Austin Reaves has the potential to be a leading attacker on a playoff team in the NBA, and though he’s close friends with Doncic, he’d need to be in the package for Antetokounmpo.
On top of his going in the deal, Reaves, with an expiring contract, would also have to want it, or the Bucks will have to feel like they can extend him this offseason. But with Antetokounmpo’s massive cap hit leaving the books, Milwaukee would have plenty of room to strike a deal with the combo guard.
Along with that, other expirings like Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, and Maxi Kleber would have to be moved to balance the books.
The Lakers would also give up Dalton Knecht, who has regressed heavily since being initially dealt in a move for big man Mark Williams that was ultimately negated. Although at his lowest value, Knecht could revive his career on a team where he feels less pressure and security after his tumultuous Lakers stint.
For the Lakers, they would not only be getting one Antetokounmpo in the deal but three. They’d acquire Giannis alongside his brothers Thanasis and two-way player Alex.
While the Lakers don’t have the best package of young prospects or high-end draft picks, the deal would hinge on two things.
One, if Giannis pushes for the Lakers as one of his key destinations.
And two, how highly the Bucks view Reaves and the possibility of locking him down long-term.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5, at 3 p.m. ET.
Newsweek