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 NBA is going to be prepared for another summer filled with Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors.
Last year, it was the New York Knicks or bust for a Giannis deal. This year, several other teams could become serious suitors. As expected, the Los Angeles Lakers have gained steam as potential suitors for the Greek Freak.
However, a recent rumor dump could be a bad sign for the Lakers.
What Does Giannis Antetokounmpo Want In His Next Situation?
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Antetokounmpo just might have two key desires heading into the offseason, and they both work against the Lakers.
“There’s some buzz in the NBA that Antetokounmpo prefers the East Coast, which is closer to Greece (both by flight and, perhaps more importantly, time zone),” Pincus writes.
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“Additionally, some claim that Antetokounmpo misses playing with players like Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, who were partners in the 2021 championship run. That’s not to suggest he wants to get the band back together. Still, some suggest Antetokounmpo doesn’t want to play with a ball-dominant lead guard, preferring to be the primary engine driving his team’s offense.”
The Lakers Are In A Tough Spot, If True
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo could be a target for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
The Lakers, a Western Conference team, have a guard with one of the highest usages in the NBA in Luka Doncic.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, Doncic is one of the best point guards in the league, and has been since he arrived as a lottery pick by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.
Last season, the Lakers did one of their signature star hunts and landed Doncic in stunning fashion, while cutting ties with Anthony Davis.
This season, Doncic is scoring at a league-leading rate, averaging 32.4 points, while shooting 47% from the field and knocking down 35% of his threes.
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The Lakers locked Doncic in long-term with a massive extension over the summer, officially handing him the key to the franchise. Major changes could be on the way, as LeBron James’ decision looms as well.
The superstar could call it a career, as he hasn’t ruled out retirement. If he plays another year, the Lakers shouldn’t be ruled out, but the idea of LeBron leaving for another situation has been gaining plenty of steam as well.
With or without LeBron, the Lakers are likely to search for another co-star to create a big three situation with Doncic and the thriving homegrown veteran, Austin Reaves. Antetokounmpo could certainly shake up the West by going to the Lakers.
Despite the injury concerns in 2025-2026, Antetokounmpo continues to play at an MVP-level when he is healthy and playing his full-time minutes.
In 31 games this season, Antetokounmpo has averaged 27.7 points (63% FG, 37% 3PT). He is coming down with 10.1 rebounds per game and dishing out 5.5 assists per outing. For the 10th year in a row, he is an NBA All-Star.
The NBA can’t truly predict what will happen next for Antetokounmpo as the saga has been ongoing for years at this point. But if the rumored desires are accurate, the Lakers might be a long shot.