The Lakers just moved to the front of the line for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
After a week of deliberations and trade discussions, the Bucks are reportedly holding onto Giannis Antetokounmpo through the deadline, which means things will carry over into the offseason…where the Lakers will be waiting.
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Lakers could not offer anything remotely competitive with only one first round pick available to deal. Once the draft rolls around in June, though, the Lakers will be able to trade three first round picks and a whole lot of cap space to play with.
As reporting this last week indicated, the Lakers were already a “team of interest” and were already seen as a “very viable threat” if the deal wasn’t done at the deadline.
One major appeal in the Lakers’ package will be the cap relief they can offer Milwaukee, which is in financial hell after waiving and stretching Damian Lillard. Pair that with a trio of first round picks and LA will be in the conversation.
Other teams will certainly be able to make competitive offers and likely even better packages. Does that mean Austin Reaves will be involved in a potential sign-and-trade? He’s certainly the best player the Bucks could get back, but it requires the Lakers to be willing to trade him and for Reaves to want to go to Milwaukee.
With him, the Lakers would have the best trade package. Without him, it becomes much more of a debate. There’s a good chance his involvement might be required for the Lakers to ensure they land him.
Depending on Milwaukee’s motivations, they could also look to do right by Giannis and send him somewhere he wants to be, which could be Los Angeles. As we’ve seen previous players do — namely Anthony Davis — if Giannis says he will only re-sign in Los Angeles, then other teams may balk at making serious offers, moving the Lakers up the list.
That, however, requires Giannis to be the bad guy and start making demands, something he has very much shied away from doing to this point. But, as a result, the Bucks have shied away from dealing him. If the two sides get serious, then perhaps a move can be made.
And if that finally happens, the Lakers will be one of the first teams waiting.