This is the first postseason that hasn’t featured Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo since the 2016 NBA Playoffs.
With trade speculation swirling, many believe Antetokounmpo has played his last game in Milwaukee. As soon as rumors surface about any major star, the Los Angeles Lakers tend to emerge as a potential destination.
Despite a massive Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on Saturday night, Lakers fans still sent a message about Antetokounmpo to GM Rob Pelinka and the rest of the front office.
Lakers Fans Urge Rob Pelinka to Land Giannis Antetokounmpo in Blockbuster Trade
Pelinka was out amongst the fans during Game 1, shaking their hands and high-fiving them, when one bold Lakers fan told Pelinka just what he’d like the general manager to do.
“Trade for Giannis!” you can hear the fan shout, Pelinka doesn’t respond.
Lakers fans asked Rob Pelinka to trade for Giannis 😭 pic.twitter.com/YPuiok7JPa
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) April 19, 2026
A number of teams are expected to pursue the Greek Freak this offseason, who is still one of the NBA’s elite players when healthy even at 31 years old.
Given the bidding war that is expected to occur, the Lakers seem to lack the assets to acquire a player like Antetokounmpo unless they do some major reshuffling. (However, the Lakers managed to deal Anthony Davis to acquire Dončić, who averaged a league-high 33.5 points per game this season, which proves you can never count the Lakers out of a blockbuster move.)
Antetokounmpo is in the second year of a three-year contract worth $175,369,698. He has a player option for the 2027-28 season, which means he could become a free agent as early as the summer of 2027 if he opts out.
Interestingly, Antetokounmpo just took a shot at Los Angeles during an episode of Goran Dragić’s podcast. During the conversation, he was asked where he’d rather go on vacation: Los Angeles or Miami?
“Miami. Miami. Miami. I think LA is super superficial,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t like LA.”
Antetokounmpo only played 36 games this season due to injuries, but still averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game on 62.4% shooting from the field.
Further complicating matters is the question of LeBron James’ future in Los Angeles. There are some who believe he will weigh his free-agency options this offseason, potentially teaming up with Warriors star Stephen Curry in Golden State or perhaps returning to Cleveland to join a loaded Cavaliers team in the Eastern Conference. Of course, there’s also the possibility that James will opt to retire after this season.
The Lakers would obviously jump on nearly any deal for Antetokounmpo that didn’t involve Dončić.
For now, the Lakers are trying to advance past the Rockets without Dončić or Reaves, and they managed to notch a 107-98 Game 1 victory on Saturday. Luke Kennard scored a season-high 27 points, while James added 19 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds.
Game 2 is on Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m. ET, and we could see the return of Rockets star Kevin Durant, who missed Saturday’s contest with a right knee contusion.
