The Los Angeles Lakers, still recovering from a 120–108 loss to the Phoenix Suns that snapped their seven-game winning streak, absorbed another blow ahead of Thursday’s road matchup against the Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers will be without Luka Dončić, who is listed out due to personal reasons, according to the official NBA injury report.
Dončić, the NBA’s leading scorer, has been nothing short of dominant this season, averaging 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists through 16 games. Yet, the Lakers have shown they can survive short-term absences, posting a 3–1 record without Dončić, largely fueled by Austin Reaves’ breakout rise.
In the three games Dončić did not play, Reaves averaged 40.0 points, 10.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds, elevating his value within the Lakers’ rotation and further complicating the franchise’s trade calculus moving forward.
While there is no firm timetable for Dončić’s return, league sources indicate his absence is not expected to be prolonged, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic.
Lakers’ Strong Start Fuels Hope — But Trade Questions Loom
The Lakers’ 15–5 record currently stands as the second-best in the Western Conference, marking the organization’s strongest 20-game start since the 2019–20 championship season led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
But the absence of Dončić and the rise of Reaves intersect with an even larger storyline dominating the league — the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, long rumored as a potential Lakers superstar target.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Sparks League-Wide Frenzy
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have formally opened discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding the two-time MVP’s future. The talks come amid Milwaukee’s disappointing 9–13 start, prompting questions about whether the franchise can sustain contention around its cornerstone.
“Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP’s future,” Charania posted on X. “A resolution is expected in the coming weeks.”
The update reignited Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, with multiple contenders believed to be monitoring the situation closely.
Lakers Considered Long Shots in Giannis Trade Talks
Despite the Lakers’ star-powered brand attraction, team insiders suggest the franchise is not well-positioned compared to other bidders.
Lakers reporter Jovan Buha said the team would be obligated to explore the possibility if Antetokounmpo requests a trade. However, he stressed that Los Angeles enters negotiations from a clear disadvantage.
“You have to explore it, right?” Buha said on the Lakers Lounge podcast. “But the ideal construction is probably Austin on a max contract plus the three picks.”
Salary Mismatch and Limited Draft Capital Hurt Lakers’ Chances
The Lakers’ most attractive trade chip — Reaves — is under contract at $13.9 million, far below Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million salary this season. Under league trade rules, the salary gap has to be bridged.
Compounding the challenge, Los Angeles can trade only one first-round pick during the season and a maximum of three in the offseason.
Buha added that the timing alone “isn’t how this is going to play out,” noting that one of those picks is technically spent on draft night before becoming tradeable.
Reaves’ value is rising, but Buha cautioned that Milwaukee — if forced to move on — would seek a blue-chip prospect and multiple assets rather than a win-now contributor.
“If you’re Milwaukee… he is more of a win-now player,” Buha said. “I’d want a 22-year-old blue-chip prospect plus multiple picks, and the Lakers can’t currently offer that.”
Staying Alive Without Dončić — But Eyes Are on Giannis
The Lakers have learned they can compete — and win — without Dončić for short stretches, but his absence underscores the importance of depth and timing as the NBA trade rumor cycles intensify.
Whether Los Angeles is a real contender for Giannis Antetokounmpo remains far less certain.
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