As the NBA playoffs march on without the Los Angeles Lakers, attention has already begun shifting toward the offseason—and once again, all eyes are on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ third consecutive first-round exit, coupled with Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury, has sparked renewed speculation that the two-time MVP could finally look to leave Milwaukee. Among the big-market teams that could appeal to Giannis, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to be a topic of curiosity—despite serious limitations in trade assets.
“Does Giannis ask out? If he does, does he have a list?” asked The Ringer’s Howard Beck on The Lowe Post. “I poked around a little bit a few days ago, and the initial thing I got from one person was just like some rumblings that it’s already just the big cities. One of the LA teams or one of the New York teams or maybe Miami… I think they threw Chicago in there. I can’t remember if Houston came up. It should.”
What Could the Los Angeles Lakers Offer?
The Lakers are undeniably one of the NBA’s glamor destinations. LeBron James remains a cultural magnet, and the idea of pairing him—or a post-LeBron Lakers squad—with Antetokounmpo would be a seismic shift. But here’s the reality: L.A.’s trade capital is limited.
The Lakers currently own just one tradable first-round pick (2031). Their best young player is Austin Reaves, who averaged 20.2 points this past season, though he’s likely more of a complementary piece than a trade centerpiece. The rest of the roster lacks high-end prospects, and they’re capped out financially.
Their city rivals, the Clippers, are in a similar bind. Though they have two tradable picks, their young talent pool is thin. If Giannis wants L.A., he’d likely have to push hard—and the Bucks would have to prioritize location over maximum return.
Teams Better Positioned to Make a Deal
While the Lakers may have star power and market appeal, teams like the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets have the assets to actually make a compelling offer.
- Houston can offer any combination of Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr., along with multiple Phoenix Suns first-rounders.
- Brooklyn owns 10 tradable first-round picks and solid young players like Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton, and Cam Johnson.
Even Chicago could become a dark horse, armed with five firsts and rising players like Coby White and Matas Buzelis.
The New York Knicks, another potential destination, are in a tight spot—they have only one tradable pick and would need to offer up names like Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart just to make a serious bid.
Miami, Golden State, and Other Long Shots
Miami remains a frequent mention due to its appeal to stars, but unless Bam Adebayo is included (which is unlikely), their best offer centers around Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., with just two first-rounders.
Golden State may be interested but lacks young talent beyond Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody. While they do have four picks, the fit—and feasibility—remain questionable.
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What It Means for the Lakers
Despite limited trade leverage, the Lakers could remain in the conversation simply because of what they represent: a big brand, a winning tradition, and the lights of Los Angeles. If Antetokounmpo prioritizes market, lifestyle, and legacy over immediate title contention, L.A. becomes a realistic—if complicated—landing spot.
Still, with three years remaining on his contract, the Bucks have leverage. And as Lillard’s trade to Milwaukee showed, preferred destinations don’t always materialize.
If Giannis does ask out, the question won’t just be where—it will be how much teams are willing to give up for a potential rental.