The Los Angeles Lakers might discover themselves within the combine for one of many largest names in basketball, Giannis Antetokounmpo, however provided that the timing strains up good.
Whereas the two-time MVP has reportedly proven curiosity elsewhere, Jovan Buha believes the Lakers might change into a shock commerce vacation spot down the highway if the Bucks star grows extra pissed off along with his staff’s path.
“I feel the fascinating factor was, the Lakers have been positioning themselves as a future cap area staff, and a future offseason staff earlier within the [2025] offseason, after which there was a shift later within the offseason after EuroBasket, the place it got here out that now they’re open to buying and selling, open to taking over longer-term cash,” Buha mentioned.
Antetokounmpo has made it clear he needs to win, one thing Milwaukee hasn’t carried out since their 2021 title run.
Buha added that the purple and gold might finally make a transfer, however the timing is vital.
“Giannis has left the door cracked open, however we’ve since had the reporting that Giannis’ most popular vacation spot was the Knicks, not the Lakers,” he mentioned. “It’s powerful to discover a Knicks-Giannis commerce, so if for no matter motive that may’t occur, and Milwaukee refuses to play ball with New York… then the Lakers can swoop in and doubtlessly provide a aggressive package deal.They may have three [first-round] draft picks as of subsequent summer time. So might you do one thing with Austin and three picks, and Dalton and Rui, perhaps a Rui sign-and-trade or one thing?”
Nonetheless, a number of hurdles stay. Each Reaves and Hachimura are set to succeed in unrestricted free company subsequent summer time, which means any commerce might require sign-and-trade agreements, and Reaves has already turned down an extension from the Lakers.
READ MORE: Why Bucks’ Ideally suited Commerce for Giannis Fits Knicks, per Windhorst
