The Los Angeles Lakers may discover themselves within the combine for one of many greatest names in basketball, Giannis Antetokounmpo, however provided that the timing traces up excellent.
Whereas the two-time MVP has reportedly proven curiosity elsewhere, Jovan Buha believes the Lakers may turn into a shock commerce vacation spot down the street if the Bucks star grows extra annoyed together with his crew’s path.
“I feel the fascinating factor was, the Lakers had been positioning themselves as a future cap house crew, and a future offseason crew earlier within the [2025] offseason, after which there was a shift later within the offseason after EuroBasket, the place it got here out that now they’re open to buying and selling, open to taking over longer-term cash,” Buha mentioned.
Antetokounmpo has made it clear he desires to win, one thing Milwaukee hasn’t accomplished since their 2021 title run.
Buha added that the purple and gold may finally make a transfer, however the timing is essential.
“Giannis has left the door cracked open, however we’ve since had the reporting that Giannis’ most popular vacation spot was the Knicks, not the Lakers,” he mentioned. “It’s robust to discover a Knicks-Giannis commerce, so if for no matter motive that may’t occur, and Milwaukee refuses to play ball with New York… then the Lakers can swoop in and doubtlessly provide a aggressive bundle.They’ll have three [first-round] draft picks as of subsequent summer season. So may you do one thing with Austin and three picks, and Dalton and Rui, perhaps a Rui sign-and-trade or one thing?”
Nonetheless, a number of hurdles stay. Each Reaves and Hachimura are set to succeed in unrestricted free company subsequent summer season, that means any commerce may require sign-and-trade agreements, and Reaves has already turned down an extension from the Lakers.
READ MORE: Why Bucks’ Preferrred Commerce for Giannis Fits Knicks, per Windhorst
