Trade speculation around Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to intensify, and league insiders now list the Los Angeles Lakers as a club that could enter the bidding if Milwaukee waits until the summer to make a move.
During an appearance on The Zach Lowe Show, The Ringer reporter Howard Beck said he was informed that Los Angeles is “a team to keep an eye on” from Antetokounmpo’s perspective. Beck also noted that any immediate pursuit is hampered by the Lakers’ limited draft assets, but their flexibility grows once the current season ends.
Los Angeles owes few tradeable first-round selections at the moment; that changes in the off-season, when additional picks become available and the roster picture clears. The franchise will also have more clarity on two key pieces: LeBron James, whose contract expires after his 23rd NBA campaign, and guard Austin Reaves, who is headed for free agency.
The Bucks, expected to demand a substantial return for their two-time MVP, would likely field richer offers from other suitors. A Lakers package could become competitive only if Antetokounmpo signals a strong preference for Los Angeles, a scenario comparable to Anthony Davis’ path from New Orleans to L.A. in 2019.
Knicks Still on Antetokounmpo’s Radar
Antetokounmpo has publicly referenced interest in the New York Knicks, suggesting the Lakers are far from the only destination he might favor. Nonetheless, Los Angeles has a history of landing elite talent when opportunities arise.
LeBron James Addresses Future
As front-office maneuvering looms, James said he has not considered whether this will be his final season or if he might stage a farewell tour. The 39-year-old forward becomes an unrestricted free agent in July and has not ruled out retirement.
The next formal checkpoint for roster movement is the in-season trade deadline, but most signals point to the summer as the likelier window for a potential Antetokounmpo deal—one in which the Lakers intend to be fully engaged.
Source: Lakers Nation
