If any team is serious about making a move for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the clock might be ticking louder than expected. The Milwaukee Bucks may not be in a rush to part ways with their two-time MVP before the trade deadline, but if they decide to hold off until the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers could enter the conversation - and that changes everything.
According to league sources, the Lakers are positioning themselves as a legitimate threat to land Antetokounmpo if the Bucks kick the can down the road. The math adds up. Come summer, L.A. is projected to have around $95 million in salary coming off the books, giving them rare financial flexibility - and in a league always hunting for stars, that kind of cap space is a golden ticket.
The Lakers' plan? Use that cap room to absorb a massive contract like Giannis’ in a potential trade, or pivot to another high-priced star if one becomes available after the playoffs. Either way, the front office is keeping its options open - and its books clean - for a major splash.
There’s also a strategic upside for Milwaukee if it comes to dealing with the Lakers. Unlike other teams that might try to match salaries with bloated contracts, the Lakers could take on Giannis’ deal without forcing the Bucks to swallow bad money in return. That kind of clean financial exit could be appealing if Milwaukee decides to hit the reset button.
Still, there’s a long road between speculation and reality. Even with the cap space, the Lakers don’t have the kind of draft capital or young blue-chip assets that typically anchor a blockbuster trade for a superstar. That’s a hurdle they’ll have to clear if they want to be more than just a headline in the rumor mill.
But this is the Lakers we’re talking about - a franchise that’s built its legacy on star power and seismic moves. From Kareem to Shaq to LeBron, the purple and gold have a history of attracting generational talent. The allure of Los Angeles, the spotlight of Hollywood, and the chance to wear one of the most iconic jerseys in sports still carries weight, even in today’s player-empowered NBA.
And if the stars don’t align this summer? The Lakers are playing the long game.
They’ve circled the summer of 2027 as a key moment, keeping their financial flexibility intact for exactly this kind of opportunity. Whether it’s Giannis or another marquee name, they’re setting the stage for a major acquisition down the line.
For now, the Bucks hold the cards. But if they decide to wait until the offseason, don’t be surprised if the Lakers - armed with cap space, ambition, and that ever-present L.A. mystique - make a serious push to bring Giannis to Hollywood.