The Los Angeles Lakers have never been shy about star-chasing. From George Mikan to Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant to LeBron James, and now Luka Dončić, the Lakers have consistently positioned themselves as a landing spot for the game’s brightest talent. It’s part of their DNA — a franchise that thrives on glamour, championships, and marquee names. And according to multiple insiders, that blueprint could be setting the stage for yet another blockbuster move: a pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Post-LeBron Planning Window
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Lakers insider Jovan Buha, appearing on Locked On Lakers, discussed how the team is already thinking beyond LeBron James’ final seasons. “The Lakers need a post-LeBron plan,” Buha explained. “Ideally, of course, if you could get a Giannis or a [Nikola] Jokic and pair that player with Luka. Even if it ends up costing you Austin [Reaves] — but maybe you can keep Austin and have something of a pseudo big three or whatever.”
Buha floated the possibility of a sign-and-trade involving Reaves, whose new contract could hover above $30 million annually, paired with salary filler and draft capital. “Three first-round picks for a Giannis — or whoever’s the next star that becomes available. That is gettable,” he added.
It’s speculative, sure. But not outlandish. This is the Los Angeles Lakers we’re talking about.
The Giannis Question in Milwaukee
The Greek Freak remains the face of the Bucks, locked into a three-year, $175 million contract with a player option for the 2027–28 season. The Bucks are clearly trying to extend their championship window, making aggressive offseason additions like Myles Turner and Cole Anthony. Despite those moves, some around the league wonder whether they’ll be enough to keep Antetokounmpo satisfied.
As Buha put it bluntly: “Milwaukee did some desperate things this summer. They might be able to keep Giannis happy through the trade deadline or through the rest of next season, but I think come next summer when they likely lose in the first round, Giannis will have to have a difficult conversation with himself about his basketball future.”
That sentiment echoes what ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in May — that Antetokounmpo remains “open-minded” about playing elsewhere. And while the Bucks are adamant they aren’t entertaining trade calls, history shows how quickly that position can change when a superstar makes up his mind.
Limited Draft Assets, But A Powerful Brand
Realistically, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t have the deepest war chest of draft picks to offer in a trade. As of now, they hold only one tradable first-round pick (2031), despite technically owning six over the next seven years. In a rebuild scenario, Milwaukee may prefer partners like Oklahoma City or Houston, who have a stockpile of future assets.
Still, the Lakers possess something intangible: star gravity. If Antetokounmpo were to name Los Angeles as his desired destination — much like Anthony Davis did in 2019 — the Bucks could be cornered into negotiating with Rob Pelinka and company.
That kind of dynamic has defined recent Lakers moves. Luka Dončić’s arrival shocked the NBA, and it’s not out of the question that another superstar might follow him to Los Angeles. Antetokounmpo, Dončić, and James are known to have mutual respect, and Buha believes that pairing two of the league’s top four players could rival the franchise’s greatest duos.
“That is like Kobe-Shaq, LeBron-Wade, Steph-KD,” Buha said. “You rarely get two players of that caliber at the same time, and if LA is able to land Jokic or Giannis with Luka, they can claim that.”
Holding Pattern or Long Game?
John Hollinger of The Athletic raised another possibility — that the Los Angeles Lakers are intentionally staying quiet this offseason, preserving flexibility for a possible Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. “It’s fair to wonder if part of the Lakers’ reticence to push in harder around their current roster is because they think they can be a landing spot for the Bucks’ superstar,” Hollinger wrote.
In other words, the silence may be strategic. As LeBron’s era winds down and the Dončić chapter ramps up, the Lakers may be positioning themselves for one last signature move — one that fits perfectly within the franchise’s star-chasing history.
Looking Ahead
No official word has come from Antetokounmpo suggesting he’s prepared to move on. And Milwaukee’s recent transactions imply a win-now mindset. But the NBA has a way of shifting overnight. If the Bucks falter again in the playoffs, and Antetokounmpo begins weighing his legacy and future, Los Angeles could very well become his preferred destination.
The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, are staying ready. In a league increasingly driven by player empowerment, one clear truth remains: superstars will always find their way to Los Angeles — especially when the franchise is planning for what comes next.