In just one week, NBA fans were able to: read an exposé about Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss with claims she’s grown tired of LeBron James; see New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown hugging Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green after he committed a flagrant foul on Karl-Anthony Towns; and hear Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo continue to make critical and cryptic comments that fuel speculation that he wants out of Cream City.
Who would have thought that there would be so many stars on the outs with their current teams?
Can Lakers-Knicks-Bucks Blockbuster Trade Solve Everything?
In a solution-oriented world, many have been trying to come up with trades that would right the NBA.
Perhaps the Lakers should trade James to the Golden State Warriors, a transaction that was nearly in-play a couple of years ago. Maybe it’s time for the Knicks to use Towns to make a move for Antetokounmpo, a scenario that could have played out last summer. Or, the Bucks could put Antetokounmpo on the trade block, sending him to the highest bidder.
What if there was a trade –just a single transaction –that could satisfy each of these team’s needs?
Lakers-Knicks-Bucks Trade Parameters
Bucks receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Pacôme Dadiet
Lakers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Knicks receive: LeBron James, Bronny James
The Bucks will likely want draft compensation for trading Antetokounmpo, even if they do receive an annual All-Star candidate like Towns.
If so, the Lakers should send their 2031 first-round pick –or the first-round picks they’re considering flipping it for –to Milwaukee. As a token of appreciation for helping them get off of Town’s contract, replacing him with a legend on an expiring contract who’s playing at an All-Star level as of late, the Knicks should send their 2026 first-round pick to Milwaukee as well. Yes, New York’s draft cupboard is desolate. Nonetheless, their 2026 first-round pick shouldn’t hold much value on Draft Day if they’re as good as they should be.
Of course, the NBA isn’t NBA2K and these aren’t the ones that typically take place. Furthermore, though each of those teams is in an awkward place with their stars, the situations may not have deteriorated past the point of no return. Therefore, this isn’t a deal that has a high probability of happening, as riveting as it would be.
However, despite there being myriad reasons this trade wouldn’t go down, there’s enough smoke to entertain the possibility. With that in mind, if the Lakers, Knicks and Bucks did agree to a blockbuster headlined by James, Towns, and Antetokounmpo, what would it all look like?