The Los Angeles Lakers are a “team to keep an eye” on for a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to NBA reporter Howard Beck of The Ringer.
Antetokounmpo is ready to leave the Bucks, who are listening to trade offers for the future Hall of Famer.
“I was told recently that the Lakers were a team to keep an eye [on] from Giannis’ standpoint,” Beck said. “Just as another team of interest.”
In the offseason, the Lakers can offer up to three first-round picks to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo. In addition, Los Angeles can absorb Antetokounmpo’s contract into cap space without Milwaukee having to take back potentially unwanted salary.
LeBron James becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time since 2018. It’s unknown whether the NBA legend will retire or continue playing.
The Lakers’ goal is to pair Luka Dončić with another superstar and Antetokounmpo fits that bill.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The Greek Freak doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can’t control where the Bucks trade him.
Milwaukee has lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row. Antetokounmpo is tired of losing and is ready to start the next chapter of his career.
Multiple teams are pursuing Antetokounmpo even though the forward is expected to miss the next four to six weeks with a right calf injury. Antetokounmpo has appeared in 30 games this season. He’s averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Star. He holds career averages of 24.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.