The Los Angeles Lakers may finally pivot from their long-term superstar chase after learning that both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokić — the two centerpieces of their 2027 free agency hopes — have their eyes elsewhere.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the New York Knicks — not the Lakers — have emerged as the only preferred destination for Antetokounmpo should he ever leave Milwaukee.
Knicks Emerge as Giannis’ Only Preferred Team
Getty Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
“Ever since the NBA draft combine in mid-May, Alex Saratsis, an Octagon managing director and Antetokounmpo’s U.S.-based representative, has fielded rampant interest in Antetokounmpo and conducted serious due diligence on best possible outside fits should the star and his reps push to be traded from the Bucks,” Charania wrote. “Several teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the New York Knicks.”
The revelation came just weeks after Denver Nuggets star and three-time MVP Jokić publicly reaffirmed his long-term commitment to Denver.
“My plan is to be a Nugget forever,” Jokić said during media day, dashing hopes for any potential Los Angeles pursuit down the line.
Lakers Had 2027 in Mind
Getty Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, looks on as Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during a press conference.
For much of the past year, the Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, has built the roster with 2027 in mind. The strategy was clear: surround Luka Dončić — who signed a three-year, $165 million maximum extension this summer — with short-term veteran deals to maintain flexibility for a potential run at Antetokounmpo or Jokić in two years.
Los Angeles signed Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia to two-year contracts, each carrying player options in the second season. That structure preserved future cap space while keeping the team competitive in the near term.
Pelinka openly acknowledged the balancing act between competing now and maintaining the ability to strike if a generational player became available.
“We’ve been very intentional with keeping our optionality to make win-now moves if there are good ones to make or to preserve our flexibility in the future,” Pelinka said after Dončić signed the extension. “We want to make smart moves, but being in a position of flexibility versus being stuck is really promising for how we’re going to build this team moving forward.”
Talks Between Bucks and Knicks Went Nowhere
Despite Antetokounmpo’s openness to New York, Charania reported that trade talks between the Bucks and Knicks over the summer never gained real traction.
“The Bucks insisted to the Knicks that they preferred not to move Antetokounmpo,” Charania wrote. “Those in Milwaukee believe New York did not make a strong enough offer to even continue discussions.”
The discussions, described as an “exclusive negotiating window,” fizzled without a serious proposal. New York officials, meanwhile, believed Milwaukee was never truly open to trading its franchise player.
Still, both teams could revisit the talks at the trade deadline or next summer if they fall short of expectations this season.
Lakers Likely to Shift Focus
With both Antetokounmpo and Jokić effectively off the 2027 board, the Lakers’ long-term plans could take a sharp turn. The franchise now faces a more immediate priority — building a roster capable of competing for another championship while LeBron James, entering his 23rd season and final contract year, remains among the top-10 players in the league.
That focus now centers on maximizing Dončić’s prime and preparing for the post-LeBron era rather than waiting for an unlikely superstar splash down the line.
The Lakers’ patient approach kept their financial future open for a scenario that may no longer exist. And with the Western Conference growing stronger by the year, Los Angeles may finally be ready to cash in its flexibility and make win-now moves instead of waiting for stars who seem determined to stay home.
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