As Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors ramp up, the Los Angeles Lakers have been floated as a possible dark-horse candidate to land the Milwaukee Bucks superstar.
Much of the buzz has centered on LA’s willingness to part with rising star guard Austin Reaves in order to form a new Big 3 featuring Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, and LeBron James. However, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, even that may not be enough to seal the deal.
NBA Insider Pours Cold Water on Lakers’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Hopes
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, are “having conversations with Milwaukee” about “whether his best fit is staying or [pursuing] a move elsewhere.” Naturally, the rumor mill has been in full force ever since, with “several teams” reportedly preparing trade packages for the two-time MVP.
In his Thursday newsletter, Fischer provided insight into the emerging Antetokounmpo trade landscape, outlining the Bucks’ best bets for recouping value, should they part with their longtime franchise cornerstone.
While Fischer pinpointed the Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs as viable trade destinations, he wasn’t as bullish on the Lakers’ prospects of pulling off a blockbuster deal. The league insider cited the organization’s limited trade assets beyond Reaves, as well as the uncertainty that Milwaukee would face building around the fifth-year player.
“The Lakers simply don’t appear to have anything close to the draft capital — or the young talent — to truly make a competitive offer to tempt the Bucks … unless Milwaukee sees Austin Reaves as a [Trae] Young-esque talent who will emerge as a perennial All-Star to build around moving forward,” Fischer wrote.
“Young is also a much safer theoretical trade target for Milwaukee. The 27-year-old is not projected to have a bustling market in free agency in July, while Reaves is all but considered a lock to be drawing max-level contract interest from external suitors as well as the incumbent Lakers.
“So, if you’re the Bucks, or any team hypothetically acquiring Reaves this season, you would have to accept that trade knowing that it comes with a risk of losing Reaves on the open market.”
As Fischer alluded to, Reaves has a $14.9 million player option for next season, which he is widely expected to decline to test 2026 free agency, given his rise to stardom. Thus, the Bucks would likely have to think long and hard before pulling the trigger on a deal for the 27-year-old.
Further complicating matters, the Lakers already have the NBA’s third-best record through 21 games (16-5) despite having battled numerous key injuries. As such, they may be less inclined than other more desperate suitors to mortgage their future for Antetokounmpo, who is expected to miss two to four weeks with a right calf strain.
