Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade to the Lakers appears highly unlikely unless he specifically demands it. LA has limited assets and financial constraints this offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a hot topic in the NBA world right now. Reports suggest he may be exploring options outside of Milwaukee, sparking a wave of rumors about potential destinations.
Points this season
Los Angeles Lakers
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One team name that always gets fans buzzing is the Los Angeles Lakers, especially with the idea of teaming him up with Luka Doncic.
But how realistic is a move to LA? According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, not very.
"They don't have that type of package available right now for Giannis," Buha said on his recent Q&A session. "I mean, if I just said Austin Reeves, Dalton Knecht, and a first-round pick is not enough for Bam [Adebayo]. I don't see that being enough for honest, to say nothing of actually getting to the salary and matching it.
"I would say Giannis is off the table, realistically, unless he demands to go to LA," Buha added. "I think that's the one way. He would have to come out and say, 'I only want to play for the Lakers,' and facilitate it that way.
"Otherwise, the Lakers cannot make a serious offer compared to what Houston, San Antonio, or even OKC could if they wanted to get involved. Multiple teams can make much more serious offers than the Lakers."
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The LA Lakers enter the 2025 offseason without cap space, under luxury tax pressure, and with limited flexibility. Their best path to improvement includes expiring contracts, trade exceptions, and distant future picks.
Still, fans are intrigued. Giannis recently admired Lakers legend Magic Johnson, saying he modeled his game after the NBA Hall of Famer.
The two-time MVP has spent his entire 12-year career with the Bucks and remains under contract through the 2026–27 season, with a $62 million player option for 2027–28. His deal does not include a no-trade clause.
Both the Bucks and Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
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