The Los Angeles Lakers are not afraid to make a giant trade in the middle of the season. Last year, they landed Luka Doncic in a trade that shook up the NBA world. Now, Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the trade block after deciding that he wants out.
Antetokounmpo will be the most sought-after player at the trade deadline. The Bucks could decide to wait until the summer to trade him, when more teams have an idea of their cap sheet. Still, his time in Milwaukee is likely over, and the Lakers would love to add him.
A crazy trade proposal from Bleacher Report would have Los Angeles land Antetokounmpo in exchange for pretty much every pick for the next five years.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles the ball. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Lakers Land Giannis Antetokounmpo in Crazy Trade Idea
Here is the full trade proposal:
Los Angeles Lakers get: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks get: Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, first-round pick swaps in 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032, and a 2031 first-round pick
Sending out five first-round picks is a heavy price for Antetokounmpo. Hachimura, Vincent, and Kleber are all expiring contracts, so that wouldn’t hurt LA. Knecht is someone that the Lakers have tried to ship out once already, and isn’t part of their future.
From Milwaukee’s standpoint, they would only be interested in the draft picks. Yet, those draft picks likely won’t be very good in terms of the swaps with both Antetokounmpo and Doncic on the roster. Adding Antetokounmpo would make them instant contenders to win the championship.
Milwaukee would likely entertain other offers that include young players whom they can build around as opposed to a draft-only package. Yet, five first-round picks are hard to turn down. Hachimura is a solid player, as well.
GettyMilwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to pass the ball. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Lakers Might Not Have Enough to Trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Other teams might not have enough trade assets to bring in Antetokounmpo. The price for him is going to be very high. There are other teams with better assets that might be able to offer Milwaukee more. The Bucks are looking to bring in a young star, too.
That’s not something that the Lakers can offer in a trade package. They can only offer the expiring contracts and the draft picks, which still might net them a very good player. That package likely wouldn’t net them Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee is likely going to have more attractive proposals.
Los Angeles is likely going to at least call Milwaukee about Antetokounmpo, even if they might not be able to land him. Rob Pelinka is going to make Jon Horst tell him now. The Lakers have the sixth-worst defense in the league, so they need to get a player to help them with that.
Antetokounmpo is going to command a lot of calls. If LA is somehow able to bring him in, they suddenly would move to the top of the Western Conference contenders.
Jackpot Trade Proposal Sees Lakers Landing Giannis Antetokounmpo