Though the Los Angeles Lakers weren’t one of the four teams mentioned at the deadline in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, they are expected to make a strong push for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar this summer with the expected salary cap space they’ll have should LeBron James and other free agents leave.
But while Antetokounmpo’s overall future with the Bucks is still uncertain, one of his teammates recently only fueled speculation about the 2021 Finals MVP leaving this offseason.
Lakers Get Good News On Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors
In a recent appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back show, Milwaukee big man Bobby Portis gave a questionable response when asked about his confidence in Antetokounmpo being on the team next season.
Bobby expects this offseason to bring plenty of uncertainty to Milwaukee if a championship isn’t won…
But the known jokester will probably appreciate
“I’m at a five, bro,” Portis said when asked about his confidence on a ‘1-10 scale‘ of Antetokounmpo playing with the Bucks next season. “Like, for real, it’s up in the air, man… Since I’ve been here in 2020, the goal has always been a championship. So I don’t know what that outlook is for next year.”
While Milwaukee has been struggling this season, regardless of whether Antetokounmpo has been healthy or not, they don’t have a very bright future in terms of competing for championships over the next few seasons, especially compared to some of the other top teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and a few others will also likely be in the mix for Antetokounmpo this offseason, but the Lakers are predicted to join that race, too.
Los Angeles will likely have some of the most open salary cap space in the entire league this summer, if James and other free agents choose to sign elsewhere, which, at this point, feels likely.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers are expected to make an ‘all-out pursuit‘ for an Antetokounmpo trade.
“Take the Los Angeles Lakers, for example, who are known to be planning an all-out pursuit of the Bucks’ big man in the summer,” he wrote. “Even if they ultimately fall short of landing him, that sort of well-publicized pressure typically signals to other suitors that they’d better be prepared to come with serious offers.”
Portis’s comments don’t confirm anything, but it only creates more speculation about Antetokounmpo’s Bucks future, putting teams like the Lakers in a better position to make a trade push this summer.
Lakers Free Agent Targets Amid Giannis Trade Pursuit
While Antetokounmpo remains the grand prize, the Lakers have had eyes for a few other names in free agency this summer.
They are predicted to sign Austin Reaves to a new deal, but even if that happens, they’ll still have roughly $50 million in cap space with James, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, Luke Kennard, and potentially a few others gone.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles wants to upgrade on the wings to put more defense and shooting around the expected duo of Luka Doncic and Reaves for the future.
“An unrestricted free agent who has been discussed internally, sources told ESPN, is Andrew Wiggins, but he has a player option with Miami he could exercise. Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes and Dean Wade are other players who fit that profile,” he wrote in mid-February. “The Lakers have also privately discussed restricted free agents Tari Eason and Peyton Watson, sources told ESPN.”
None of those players would garner the same type of new contract someone like Antetokounmpo would. Still, based on the team’s roster this season, any of those wings would be an upgrade from the forward talent head coach JJ Redick is working with right now.
But if it’s an Antetokounmpo trade or a free agent target like one of the players mentioned above, the Lakers are expected to be busy this summer with the expected salary cap space they’ll have to work with.
Lakers Get Good News On ‘All-Out’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Pursuit