Lakers Eye Giannis, But Do They Have the Ammo?
The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to swinging big. After landing Luka Dončić in a headline-grabbing move last year, the franchise is once again being linked to another generational talent: Giannis Antetokounmpo. But here’s the reality check - as ESPN’s Zach Lowe put it on The Lowe Post, “I don’t think they have enough to get Giannis.”
That’s not just a hot take - it’s a reflection of the uphill climb the Lakers would face in any serious pursuit of the two-time MVP. If Giannis were to hit the trade market, the Bucks would understandably demand a massive return. And yes, that would almost certainly start with Austin Reaves.
Reaves has become a core piece of the Lakers’ identity - a versatile, high-IQ guard who’s grown into a legitimate two-way threat. He’s the kind of player you don’t move unless the return is truly elite. Giannis fits that bill, but even including Reaves likely wouldn’t be enough to outbid other suitors.
Because make no mistake - if Giannis becomes available, the line to acquire him will stretch around the block. The Oklahoma City Thunder, with their treasure chest of draft picks and young talent, are a particularly scary contender in this conversation.
San Antonio, too, is lurking. The Spurs are off to a strong start at 17-7, even weathering stretches without Victor Wembanyama.
That’s a team with assets and a bright future - and if they’re in the mix, the Lakers could find themselves outgunned.
There’s also the contractual side of things. Giannis is under contract through the 2027-28 season, with a $62.8 million player option in that final year.
Come next October, he’ll be eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension - a number that only makes sense if he’s committed long-term to wherever he lands. Any team considering a blockbuster deal would need some assurance that he’s not a short-term rental.
From a basketball standpoint, the idea of Giannis teaming up with Dončić in Los Angeles is tantalizing. That’s a duo that could redefine the Western Conference. But as appealing as the fit might be, the logistics are another story entirely.
The Lakers will still do their homework. If Giannis signals he wants out of Milwaukee, you can bet the front office will be on the phone.
According to the latest from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Giannis and his agent have been in discussions with the Bucks about his future. Since then, he’s been sidelined with a calf strain - fortunately, nothing more serious - but that hasn’t quieted the noise around his long-term plans.
Interestingly, the Bucks reportedly explored trade talks over the summer - not with the Lakers, but with the Knicks. At the time, New York was the only other team Giannis was reportedly open to joining.
That could still be the case, but the Knicks, like the Lakers, don’t appear to have the kind of offer that would move the needle for Milwaukee’s front office. And with the Knicks currently sitting as the second-best team in the East, it’s fair to wonder whether they’d even want to shake things up midseason.
There’s also the possibility that Giannis waits until the offseason to make a move. That would give the Bucks more clarity on the draft landscape - especially regarding 2026 picks - and allow for a more measured, less chaotic process than trying to pull off a blockbuster in the thick of a playoff push.
For now, the Lakers are in the conversation. But being in the conversation and actually having the pieces to get a deal done are two very different things.
Giannis is a franchise-altering player. If he becomes available, the bidding war will be fierce - and Los Angeles may find themselves watching from the sidelines unless they’re willing to part with more than just Reaves.
Bottom line: the Lakers may want Giannis. Who wouldn’t? But wanting him and landing him are two very different challenges - and right now, it looks like L.A. may not have the firepower to make it happen.