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The Los Angeles Lakers could find themselves in the mix for one of the biggest names in basketball, Giannis Antetokounmpo, but only if the timing lines up just right.
While the two-time MVP has reportedly shown interest elsewhere, Jovan Buha believes the Lakers could become a surprise trade destination down the road if the Bucks star grows more frustrated with his team’s direction.
“I think the interesting thing was, the Lakers were positioning themselves as a future cap space team, and a future offseason team earlier in the [2025] offseason, and then there was a shift later in the offseason after EuroBasket, where it came out that now they’re open to trading, open to taking on longer-term money,” Buha said.
Antetokounmpo has made it clear he wants to win, something Milwaukee hasn’t done since their 2021 title run.
Buha added that the purple and gold could eventually make a move, but the timing is key.
“Giannis has left the door cracked open, but we’ve since had the reporting that Giannis’ preferred destination was the Knicks, not the Lakers,” he said. “It’s tough to find a Knicks-Giannis trade, so if for whatever reason that can’t happen, and Milwaukee refuses to play ball with New York… then the Lakers can swoop in and potentially offer a competitive package.They will have three [first-round] draft picks as of next summer. So could you do something with Austin and three picks, and Dalton and Rui, maybe a Rui sign-and-trade or something?”
Still, several hurdles remain. Both Reaves and Hachimura are set to reach unrestricted free agency next summer, meaning any trade could require sign-and-trade agreements, and Reaves has already turned down an extension from the Lakers.
READ MORE: Why Bucks’ Ideal Trade for Giannis Suits Knicks, per Windhorst
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