Lakers Face Limited Assets in Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
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The Milwaukee Bucks and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo appear headed for a split in the summer of 2026 after the club missed the postseason despite adding center Myles Turner last offseason. With a league-wide bidding war expected, the Los Angeles Lakers are once again among the interested teams but may struggle to assemble a competitive package.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, ESPN’s Shams Charania said Los Angeles can currently put only three future first-round picks on the table while using its ample cap space to absorb Antetokounmpo’s contract. “If you’re the Bucks, are you just going to trade Giannis to the Lakers for cap space and three first-round picks?” Charania asked, adding that Milwaukee is likely to receive stronger proposals elsewhere. He expects clarity within the next six weeks.
The Lakers’ roster offers few additional trade chips, as most players’ contracts expire before the 2026-27 season. Rival clubs such as the Miami Heat own a similar stash of draft selections but can also include promising young talent, giving them a potential edge.
Antetokounmpo could attempt to steer his destination by signaling he would not sign long term with any team other than Los Angeles, a tactic Anthony Davis used in 2019, yet no such maneuver has been reported.
If Milwaukee prefers an immediate centerpiece, guard Austin Reaves is the lone Laker who fits that description. A sign-and-trade would be required because Reaves is expected to enter free agency. According to the report, Luka Dončić has privately urged the organization not to part with Reaves in a deal for Antetokounmpo.
Whether the Bucks choose a full rebuild centered on draft capital or seek proven talent, Los Angeles currently appears outmatched in a market that could feature more enticing combinations of picks and players.
Source: LakersNation.com
