Could Giannis Antetokounmpo actually leave the Milwaukee Bucks this summer? The former back-to-back MVP is still under contract with the organization through 2028, but the way the season ended in such disappointment for Milwaukee has put his future with the team into question — again.
If Antetokounmpo suddenly decides to jump ship, you can be sure that every other team in the NBA will, at the very least, do their due diligence on whether or not they could actually stand a chance in a potential Giannis sweepstakes.
One of those teams could be the Los Angeles Lakers.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Giannis Antetokounmpo Linked to Lakers Trade
Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World recently conjured up a bonkers trade between the Bucks and the Lakers that would see Giannis heading to Hollywood to form a mind-blowing Big 3 alongside LeBron James and Anthony Edwards.
Below are the details of the proposed deal:
Bucks get: D’Angelo Russell (sign-and-trade), Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2030 First-Round Pick
Lakers get: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bitar attempts to make sense of this head-scratching proposal by pointing out how a potential deal would benefit both teams:
“Lakers fans envision a dynasty in the making, with Giannis, James, and Davis leading the charge to multiple championships over the next few years, cementing their legacy as one of the most dominant trios ever assembled. While parting ways with Giannis would undoubtedly be a difficult decision for the Milwaukee Bucks, the influx of young talent and future draft assets provides them with the flexibility to build for the future. While none of the players in the proposed deal can match Giannis’ impact, the potential for long-term success could soften the blow of losing a generational talent,” Bitar wrote.
From a logical standpoint, this should be a no-brainer for the Lakers. Passing up on forming what could be the most dominant Big 3 in NBA history would be an opportunity that should be too good to pass up for LA.
The Bucks, on the other hand, will get set back significantly if they lose Antetokounmpo. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves are no scrubs, but as Bitar stated, there’s just no replacing Giannis. You also can’t help but ask how Milwaukee’s backcourt rotation will look like with Russell, Reaves, and Damian Lillard all in the mix.
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