The Los Angeles Lakers already pulled off one of the biggest ‘steals’ in NBA history by signing Luka Doncic in the February market in exchange for Anthony Davis before the trade deadline. Now, Rob Pelinka, the team’s general manager and architect of that signing, is planning to make another splash: signing Giannis Antetokounmpo to support LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
After failing in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1), it became clear that LeBron and Doncic are not enough for a Lakers team that needs to strengthen if it wants to challenge for the title again. In this scenario, the Lakers are planning to go all out to try to land Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has already met with the Bucks and would be willing to join the Los Angeles team if both franchises reach an agreement, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.
Antetokounmpo’s meeting with the Bucks
Meanwhile, the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee has never been more uncertain. The Bucks were humiliated by the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs (4-1) and NBA sources have confirmed that Giannis has already begun serious talks with management to address his future and that of the franchise.
The Greek, at 30 years old, has seen how despite his great individual performance, with averages this season of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists, his team has stagnated, falling far short of being able to compete with the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers, the most powerful teams in the Eastern Conference at present.
A complicated operation with many edges
The operation, in any case, would not be easy for the Bucks, who would have to justify to their fans why they are parting with their franchise player (and the background of Doncic’s departure from Dallas does not help) nor for the Lakers, who would have to part with several players and draft picks.
The Greek has a megacontract
It would also require Rob Pelinka to do some financial engineering to fit the Greek’s high salary into his squad. Antetokounmpo earned $48.7 million this season and has two years remaining on his contract at $57.6 million (2026) and $62.2 million (2027), plus a player option for 2028 for $66.8 million.
If this complicated operation is finally carried out, the Lakers could reunite one of the best ‘Big Threes’ in NBA history with LeBron James in what could be the last year of his professional career, Luka Doncic at a time of splendid maturity, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player who is unbalanced in offensive transitions as a finisher and a great defender who would not have all the scoring responsibility, as he does now with the Bucks.
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