If the Los Angeles Lakers are to somehow land Giannis Antetokounmpo, it would be nothing short of “found money” — similar to how Luka Dončić unexpectedly aligned in their favor — according to Dan Woike of The Athletic.
Speaking on the Lakers Lounge podcast, Woike said the Lakers are nowhere near the front of the line when it comes to what they can realistically offer if Antetokounmpo requests a trade out of Milwaukee.
“I don’t think the Lakers are particularly close when it comes to what they would have to offer,” Woike said. “[Antetokounmpo] would have to really firebomb his reputation in ways that he doesn’t seem interested in. Part of the Giannis mystique is that he’s pretty likable — and we can say that was true for [Anthony Davis]. It would have to get really ugly for Milwaukee to take pennies on the dollar.”
Why Lakers’ Best Giannis Trade Package Isn’t Good Enough
Woike outlined the reality: the Lakers’ most practical trade package next summer would consist of three future first-round picks and cap space, which he described bluntly.
“The Lakers’ offer — the way they would trade for him next summer — is three first-round picks and space,” Woike said. “That’s the offer. And that’s not good enough.”
Because of the current CBA timeline, Los Angeles is limited to one first-round pick at the trade deadline and up to three in the offseason. Even at maximum strength, Woike said no executives he has spoken with believe the offer comes close to what Milwaukee would demand for its franchise cornerstone.
“If it comes to me and it happens, it’ll be found money just like Luka Dončić was,” Woike said. “That’s the only real way.”
LeBron James, Austin Reaves and the Complication of Salary Matching
Getty Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a basket with teammate LeBron James.
While the Lakers still roster LeBron James, Woike cautioned that Los Angeles must balance its long-term vision with its present-day core:
“Say what you will about LeBron… he is on the team right now,” Woike said. “There is an element of needing to look at what they have today.”
Further complicating matters is the trade value of Austin Reaves — the Lakers’ most attractive trade piece. Despite playing at a near All-Star level, Reaves is on a team-friendly $13.9 million contract, far short of Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million salary. The disparity becomes a structural roadblock.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha echoed that challenge, noting that even if Reaves were earning max money, he still may not be the type of cornerstone Milwaukee would covet in a rebuild.
“If you’re Milwaukee… Austin is more of a win-now player,” Buha said. “I’d want a 22-year-old blue-chip young prospect plus multiple picks, and the Lakers just can’t currently offer that.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Sparks NBA-Wide Frenzy
The conversation around Antetokounmpo’s future accelerated Wednesday after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have begun formal discussions with the Bucks about the direction of the franchise amid a 9–13 start.
“A resolution is expected in the coming weeks,” Charania posted on X, fueling another wave of Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors.
Teams are expected to line up the second the two-time MVP signals he wants out — but according to multiple insiders, the Lakers are not positioned as the favorites.
Bottom Line: Lakers Can Hope — But They Can’t Lead the Race
Los Angeles can — and will — monitor the situation. They will inquire. They will be ready if the phone unexpectedly rings.
But as of now, insiders agree: a Giannis Antetokounmpo-to-Lakers blockbuster is unlikely. Unless the superstar specifically forces his way to Los Angeles, the Lakers’ current asset pool could leave them watching from the outside as a once-in-a-generation sweepstakes unfolds.
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