The Lakers just took a major step toward the front of the line in the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes - and they didn’t even have to make a move at the trade deadline to do it.
With the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly deciding to hold onto Giannis through the deadline, the door is now wide open for offseason drama. And make no mistake - the Lakers are poised to be right in the thick of it when the time comes.
Before the deadline, Los Angeles didn’t have the assets to make a serious push. With only one first-round pick available, they were essentially on the outside looking in.
But fast-forward to June, and the picture changes dramatically. The Lakers will have access to three first-round picks and a significant amount of cap space - a combination that suddenly makes them a legitimate player in any blockbuster scenario.
They’ve already been labeled a “team of interest” and a “very viable threat” if Giannis becomes available in the summer. And when you look at what they could offer, it’s easy to see why.
One of LA’s biggest bargaining chips? Cap relief.
The Bucks, currently feeling the financial squeeze after waiving and stretching Damian Lillard, are in a tight spot. The Lakers could provide some breathing room - and that alone might get Milwaukee’s attention.
Add in those three first-round picks, and LA becomes a serious contender in trade talks.
Now, let’s talk about the X-factor: Austin Reaves.
If the Lakers are serious about landing Giannis, Reaves could end up as the centerpiece of their offer. He’s easily the most valuable player the Bucks could get back in a potential deal - a young, ascending guard with playoff experience and a team-first mentality. But there are two hurdles: the Lakers have to be willing to part with him, and Reaves would have to be on board with a move to Milwaukee, likely as part of a sign-and-trade.
With Reaves in the package, the Lakers could arguably put together the best offer on the table. Without him, things get murkier. Other teams will be able to offer more in terms of young talent or draft capital, which means LA would be banking heavily on cap relief and Giannis’ personal preferences.
And that’s where things could really swing the Lakers’ way.
If Giannis makes it clear he wants to be in Los Angeles - and only Los Angeles - the dynamic changes entirely. We’ve seen it before.
Anthony Davis did it. Other stars have too.
Once a player signals that they’ll only re-sign with one team, rival offers tend to dry up fast. Teams aren’t going to gut their rosters for a one-year rental, and that could clear the path for the Lakers to swoop in with a deal that works for both sides.
But here’s the catch: Giannis has never been that guy. He’s avoided the drama, stayed loyal, and kept things quiet.
For this to happen, he’d have to flip the script - make demands, take control of his future, and potentially ruffle feathers in Milwaukee. That’s not how he’s operated so far.
Still, if things between Giannis and the Bucks reach a breaking point, and both sides decide it’s time to move on, the Lakers will be one of the first teams in line - armed with picks, cap space, and a clear pitch.
The stage is set. The Lakers may not have made a splash at the deadline, but come summer, they could be in position to make the biggest move of all.