Why the Lakers Are Standing Pat at the Deadline - and It All Comes Back to Giannis
If you’re a Lakers fan frustrated by the lack of movement heading into the trade deadline, you’re not alone. The team’s roster has holes - that much is clear.
But while the need for reinforcements is obvious, the front office, led by GM Rob Pelinka, is staying patient. And there’s a reason for that patience: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Yes, that Giannis.
According to NBA insider Zach Lowe, the Lakers are one of several teams keeping a close eye on the situation brewing in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo has been sending mixed signals about his long-term future with the Bucks, and that uncertainty has teams like the Lakers, Warriors, Heat, Knicks, and Hawks quietly preparing for what could become the biggest superstar sweepstakes in years.
“It’s not just us that are tracking it,” Lowe said during a recent Amazon Prime broadcast. “The Hawks, the Warriors, the Lakers, the Heat, maybe the Knicks - they’re all thinking, ‘Do we need to keep all of our stuff and wait for Giannis to maybe become available?’”
That’s the key phrase: keep all of our stuff. In other words, don’t make a move now that could cost you the assets you’ll need if Antetokounmpo hits the trade market.
From the Lakers’ perspective, that strategy makes sense - even if it’s frustrating in the short term. This is a team that’s already cashed in big once, landing Luka Dončić in a blockbuster that reshaped the franchise’s trajectory. Now, the front office is thinking long-term again, hoping to pair Dončić with another generational talent.
And if Giannis becomes that player? You better believe the Lakers want to be ready.
The Clock Is Ticking in Milwaukee
Antetokounmpo’s contract situation is a big part of the equation here. Without a new extension, he’ll be down to just one guaranteed year left in Milwaukee after this season. That’s the kind of leverage that tends to shift the power dynamic - and fast.
Sam Amick, another plugged-in NBA insider, recently sat down with Giannis for an interview that was meant to quiet some of the noise. But instead, it may have done the opposite. According to Amick, there’s a growing belief around the league that things could escalate this summer.
His advice? Hold onto your assets. Don’t make a short-term trade now that could cost you a seat at the table if Giannis becomes available later.
That’s exactly the approach the Lakers are taking.
A Conservative Deadline Strategy - With a Purpose
Jake Fischer has reported that the Lakers are expected to take a conservative approach leading up to the deadline - not because they’re content with the current roster, but because they’re playing the long game. And when the long game involves a two-time MVP and NBA champion, it’s hard to argue with the logic.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Giannis will ask out. And even if he does, there’s no guarantee he’ll land in Los Angeles. A move of that magnitude would require more than just assets - it would likely need a push from Giannis himself.
But for the Lakers, this is about positioning. About being ready. About not getting caught flat-footed if the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself.
Because in today’s NBA, you don’t just build a contender - you wait for the right moment to strike. And if that moment involves Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Lakers want to be first in line.