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By Justin Grasso
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Los Angeles Lakers are star hunters—successful ones at that.
Therefore, with Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially hitting the trade block in the coming weeks, the Lakers are assumed to have some level of interest, along with most of the league.
What are the chances of the Lakers landing Giannis if the Bucks feel their hand is forced, and the Greek Freak wants to don the purple and gold moving forward?
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The ESPN NBA Insider Ramona Shelburne drops a name that would need to be involved.
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Austin Reaves: The Starting Point
“The Austin Reaves of it all is very interesting because if I’m Milwaukee, I demand him,” Shelburne said recently.
“I wouldn’t do the trade without him. Do [the Lakers] want to do that? I mean, that’s a tough one, but that’s who [the Bucks] would ask for because you’re not going to get Luka. You got to get the next best guy, and that’s Austin. But if you can get to free agency, where the Lakers are going to have cap space in a year.”
Giannis should net a historical return for the Bucks. He’s a multi-time MVP, and played like he was gunning for his third this season before going down with an injury.
The Lakers aren’t going to part ways with Luka, and LeBron James won’t be the same draw he once was with his future beyond this season unclear. Reaves is by far the next best thing.
When comparing Giannis and Reaves, the former, without a question, is the more dominant player. However, the Lakers have to consider if Giannis is worth it beyond the sharpshooter. The supporting cast and the draft assets attached will be a hefty price to pay.
Antetokounmpo is likely to desire a landing spot where he sees a long-term fit, but if push comes to shove, could he Kawhi his way through the next season and a half before getting a free agency sweepstakes in 2027?
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Could Giannis Land a Short-Term Home?
“This is the big question: Will there be a team that thinks they might be a Giannis away that he won’t extend with, that he doesn’t want to be on?” Shelburne wondered.
“Will there be a team that will do what Toronto did [with Kawhi Leonard], that would take a chance? Will there be a team out there that thinks they can, and that is willing to take a chance on trading the farm for him now in the hopes that two years of him will be worth it for you?”
The Bucks aren’t expected to ship Antetokounmpo out to a situation he doesn’t want. On the other end, teams will probably hesitate to put together a massive package, knowing the return might not be worth anything in less than two years.
The Bottom Line
If Giannis is open to joining the Lakers and playing alongside Luka Doncic for several seasons, then LA’s front office will certainly do what they have to do to make it happen.
Right now, the Lakers are doing well enough with Reaves thriving with and without Doncic in the mix.
Nothing is concrete at the moment, but it seems the Lakers might have a better shot at making a Giannis-level move when they reach free agency, rather than getting something done before this year’s deadline.
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