While many are focused on the various free agents the Los Angeles Lakers could sign this summer, it’s worth noting that a massive trade could also be in the cards for the 17-time NBA champions.
In fact, a recent report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin suggests that acquiring a 10-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year isn’t the long shot many think it is.
“A Western Conference executive told ESPN he believes (Giannis) Antetokounmpo is the ‘big prize’ the Lakers hope to land, should the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade the 2021 NBA Finals MVP in the offseason,” McMenamin wrote Tuesday.
“But Antetokounmpo is no guarantee to be traded, despite how the saga has played out with the Bucks and their longtime superstar so far. The Lakers know Milwaukee can use the offseason to try to make the team more competitive and persuade him to sign an extension, which he becomes eligible to do on Oct. 1, rather than accept trading him as an inevitability.”
“Still, the Lakers’ potential trade package for Antetokounmpo becomes more appealing in the offseason than it would have been if they’d decided to get involved with those talks earlier this month.”
The Lakers’ competition for Antetokounmpo’s services will be fierce, to say the least. Several contenders will happily enter the Antetokounmpo summer sweepstakes and submit their most alluring trade offer for the two-time MVP.
The Golden State Warriors are the first team that comes to mind, as the franchise aggressively pursued Antetokounmpo during the trade season but didn’t get the result they were hoping for.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that breakout star Austin Reaves is the Lakers’ most valuable trade asset, forcing Los Angeles to feature him in a potential Antetokounmpo deal.
For now, though, the Lakers will move forward with their current roster and attempt to make significant noise in the postseason.
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