Lakers’ Plan To Steal Giannis Antetokounmpo
Lakers' Plan To Steal Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks has become one of the most discussed topics of the 2025 NBA offseason following the team’s disappointing early playoff elimination.
The two-time MVP has reportedly expressed openness to considering opportunities beyond Milwaukee, creating widespread speculation about potential destinations across the league.
Multiple franchises have emerged as possible suitors for the Greek superstar, with the New York Knicks initially appearing as a frontrunner in trade discussions.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers have positioned themselves as serious contenders in the pursuit, with reports suggesting they could present a compelling package centered around future assets to acquire the nine-time All-Star forward.
Buha Warns Lakers About Strategic Positioning in Antetokounmpo Pursuit
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha has urged the franchise to exercise caution in their approach toward acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Athletic’s beat writer emphasized the importance of strategic positioning as the team evaluates potential trade scenarios.
“Giannis Antetokounmpo has left the door cracked open, but we’ve since had the reporting that Giannis’ preferred destination was the Knicks, not the Lakers, and that it was really one team he was considering, and that was specifically the Knicks,” he said.
“I wonder if the Lakers recent shift toward being more of a kind of short-term or like win-now mode is maybe in part due to Doncic’s success at Eurobasket, but I think more so maybe gaining some intel that some of the big fish that they were hoping to catch are not going to be available or as available as they thought.”
Buha highlighted the complexity of constructing a viable trade package for the two-time MVP. He noted that the Lakers must carefully consider their future positioning, particularly if other teams struggle to complete deals with Milwaukee. The reporter suggested that cap space management will be crucial in any potential negotiations.
“I think the Lakers got to be careful with how they position themselves for the future because if it’s tough to find a Knicks-Giannis trade. So if that for whatever reason just can’t happen and Milwaukee refuses to play ball with New York because they just they don’t want to trade him in conference, they don’t like what New York’s offering, then the Lakers can swoop in and potentially offer a competitive package. … You got to be careful with the cap space, but it does seem like the Lakers are a little bit more open to a short-term move,” Buha added.
Key factors the Lakers must consider:
- Maintaining flexibility for alternative scenarios
- Preserving valuable trade assets
- Managing salary cap implications
- Timing of potential moves
The warning comes as speculation intensifies around Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks. Buha indicated that the Lakers could emerge as serious contenders if primary suitors face obstacles in trade discussions.
The reporter’s comments reflect a broader shift in the Lakers’ approach to roster construction. He noted the organization appears more willing to consider shorter-term acquisitions while maintaining long-term flexibility. This strategic patience could prove beneficial if Antetokounmpo becomes available through trade in the coming seasons.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
