While Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t officially requested a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks yet, the rumors are starting to heat up. The team is playing very poorly, and Antetokounmpo has been flirting with the idea of leaving for the past several months.
It looks like things could be coming to a head, and every team in the NBA should be considering how to make a deal work. One team that will certainly at least be thinking about is the Los Angeles Lakers. The last time they traded for a former Bucks MVP big man was when they acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
That was one of the best decisions in franchise history. Once upon a time, Dwight Howard was considered the best big man in the NBA, and the Lakers wing a trade for him. Following the news that Antetokounmpo is dealing with a calf strain and going to miss some time, Howard urged him to take all the time he needs so that he’s ready for his theoretical Lakers debut.
“Aye Giannis don’t go trying to play on that calf strain just take your time and get back right Lake Show need you !” Howard wrote on X.
Howard also loves the idea of pairing Antetokounmpo with Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Is Giannis to the Lakers Even Possible?
The Lakers are always linked to big names who want to get traded, but a lot of times, deals just aren’t possible. Antetokounmpo would be a very exciting piece for the team to add, but it won’t be easy.
Luckily, it’s not totally impossible. Austin Reaves is playing like one of the best guards in the NBA. His play might make a package surrounding him somewhat appealing to the Bucks. The problem is that Reaves isn’t making a lot of money right now. To make the money work, the Lakers would either need to add additional teams or send the Bucks Rui Hachimura and a couple of other players.
If the Lakers really want Antetokounmpo, they have to hope he isn’t traded by the deadline. It becomes a lot simpler for the team if they’re able to pay Reaves max money, which would mean the trade would be more about figuring out what assets Milwaukee wants instead of figuring out salary cap filler.
Should Lakers Be Concerned About Giannis’ Injuries?
It’s not talked about much, but Antetokounmpo has become somewhat injury-prone. He missed the entire Bucks’ playoff run in 2024 and missed much of it in 2023. He’s now dealing with a calf strain.
He’s not as injury-prone as Anthony Davis, but there should be some concern. Big men don’t typically get healthier as they get older. At the same time, Antetokounmpo is still arguably the best player in the NBA on a lot of nights.
Giving up Reaves would be tough, but Antetokounmpo brings elite offense and defense. Pairing with Doncic would give the Lakers the best duo in the NBA. Plus, James might be playing his last season with the team, so Los Angeles is going to want to pair another star with Doncic for the future.
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