The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly believe they would be in prime position to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo if the Milwaukee Bucks forward asks out this offseason.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, “The Lakers, team sources told ESPN, obviously see the appeal in Antetokounmpo and believe they would be one of the teams on a very short list if the Bucks star asks for a trade out of Milwaukee.”
Antetokounmpo is in the first season of a three-year, $175 million contract that includes a player option for the final year. He is also eligible in October for a four-year extension worth up to $275 million, giving Milwaukee a potential pathway to secure his long-term future.
The Bucks are 23-30 and sit 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite the record, the two-time MVP has produced at an elite level, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in 30 games while shooting 64.5% from the field and 39.5% from three-point range.
Milwaukee explored the market before the February 5 trade deadline but did not advance discussions. Shams Charania said on NBA Today, “They were engaged but they never progressed even really close with Giannis Antetokounmpo and any other team.”
Bobby Marks added context to the organization’s approach. “The intention of Milwaukee was to see what was out there. Write it down and put it away until June and July,” Marks said. “But the teams I talked to, they just never felt there would be a deal that would materialize.”
On February 6, Antetokounmpo posted a clip from The Wolf of Wall Street with the caption, “Legends don’t chase. They attract,” signaling public alignment with the franchise after the deadline passed.
For the Lakers, the basketball fit is clear. Los Angeles is 33-21 and fifth in the Western Conference, powered by Luka Doncic’s 32.8 points and 8.6 assists per game.
The addition of Antetokounmpo would give the club a dominant interior scorer next to Doncic’s perimeter creation.
Deandre Ayton anchors the middle with 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds on 67.5% shooting, but Antetokounmpo’s ability to pressure the rim and defend multiple positions would elevate both ends of the floor.
Any trade would require a historic return. Milwaukee previously signaled that multiple first-round picks and significant young assets would be necessary, and rival teams such as Golden State, Minnesota, Miami, and New York monitored the situation before the deadline.
