The Los Angeles Lakers have made it clear that their future revolves around Luka Doncic. With LeBron James entering the final year of his deal and holding a no-trade clause, Los Angeles is already planning for a post-LeBron era. That includes exploring ways to pair Doncic with another generational talent—but according to Lakers insider Dan Woike of The Athletic, the odds of pulling off a trade for either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic are slim.
Woike cautioned that any pursuit of Antetokounmpo or Jokic would require unusual circumstances. “The market would need to be way suppressed by a player saying they would simply walk to the Lakers in free agency so 28 other teams shouldn’t even consider bidding, and still the Lakers’ offer would be thin,” Woike explained. While discussions may have occurred internally, the reality is that Los Angeles’ current trade assets likely wouldn’t be enough to compete with other offers.
Giannis, Jokic Unlikely For Lakers In 2026
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Both stars are under contract with their current teams for the 2025-26 season, though Antetokounmpo has a player option for 2027 and has expressed openness to leaving the Milwaukee Bucks after another early playoff exit. Jokic’s timeline is similar, potentially reaching free agency in 2027 if he does not sign an extension with the Denver Nuggets.
The connection between Doncic and Jokic is well documented—two close friends who have openly discussed playing together someday—while Antetokounmpo’s combination of size, skill, and defensive versatility would make him a near-perfect complement to the Mavericks’ star in Los Angeles.
But 2027?
Yet Woike remains skeptical of any near-term trades. The Lakers are instead positioning themselves for future cap flexibility, aiming to be an attractive destination should either superstar hit free agency in 2027. According to projections, the team could clear close to $50 million in cap space if Doncic signs a maximum extension and Austin Reaves’ salary aligns favorably, with the potential to increase to $60 million by shedding Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract.
Even with such financial flexibility, Woike notes there is no guarantee that Antetokounmpo or Jokic would want to join the Lakers. Jokic, in particular, may prefer a lower-profile setting, whereas Antetokounmpo’s willingness to move West might make him a slightly more realistic target.
For Los Angeles, the challenge remains balancing star power with depth. Any move to bring in another MVP-caliber player alongside Doncic could leave the roster top-heavy and shallow, forcing the team to lean heavily on three stars to win big games. For now, the Lakers are focused on building around Doncic while keeping their long-term options open—but Woike’s insight makes it clear that pairing him with another generational superstar will be easier said than done.