Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is the biggest name on the trade market ahead of the deadline.
The main headliner ahead of the NBA trade deadline on February 5 is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. The Los Angeles Lakers are not among the favorites to land the two-time MVP, but they are still linked just because of who they are as a legendary franchise.
ESPN’s Shams Charania named the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves as the teams to monitor in the Giannis sweepstakes.
Howard Beck of The Ringer added the Lakers to the mix, especially if the Bucks decide to hold on to Antetokounmpo until this summer.
“I was told recently that the Lakers were a team to keep an eye on from Giannis’ standpoint, just as another team of interest,” Beck said on The Zach Lowe Show. “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 (James) is or isn’t and where Austin Reaves is because he’s a free agent.”
The Lakers can only trade one first-round pick, though it could increase to three this summer. As for players, Reaves is the only one who might pique the Bucks’ interest.
NBA Insider Drops Latest on Lakers’ Chances in Giannis Trade
On the latest episode of The Insider Notebook, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report dropped a massive revelation about the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Right now, I’ve definitely gotten no indication that the Lakers consider themselves a current player for Giannis,” Fischer said. I think the Lakers have a very realistic and pragmatic understanding of where they fall in the general NBA trade market landscape right now.”
In addition to a future first-round pick, the only appealing assets the Lakers have are the expiring contracts of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber. It might not be enough to acquire a star player like Giannis, with the Bucks possibly preferring picks and young players to rebuild.
Lakers Expected to Make a Move at Trade Deadline
With the chances of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo close to zero, the Los Angeles Lakers are still expected to be active at the trade deadline. They already whiffed in the De’Andre Hunter market after the Sacramento Kings acquired him from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported on the latest episode of his Buha’s Block podcast that the purple and gold franchise will make a move, though he wants the fanbase not to expect a huge trade.
“I still think the Lakers are going to do something,” Buha said. “I just think it’s probably going to be something small that disappoints people. Or maybe something people talk themselves into, but in reality is going to just be a small move that doesn’t really move the needle.”
The Lakers need to upgrade their roster ahead of the second half of the season. They could use a perimeter defender who can knock down open shots consistently, with a rim-running and shot-blocking big being a bonus.