The Los Angeles Lakers continue to be a team that lives and dies by superstar players. All of the legendary Lakers teams had one or two of the greatest players in NBA history.
Currently, the Lakers have LeBron James, arguably the greatest player ever, and Luka Doncic, one of the five best players in the world right now, on the roster. However, James is 40 and may not even want to be on the team past this season.
Doncic signed a long-term contract extension this offseason, so he’s not going anywhere. If the Lakers hope to get back to winning championships, they’ll want to find Doncic another superstar running mate to replace James.
While it looks like Los Angeles is going to wait until 2026 or 2027 to swing a big move, it’s possible that an opportunity could arise before. Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the franchise is in flux, and it still remains possible that he’ll request a trade.
If he specifically wanted to join Doncic on the Lakers, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus pitched a five-team deal that would involve trading away James. In the trade, the Dalllas Mavericks get LeBron James (from Lakers), Bronny James (from Lakers), Andre Jackson Jr. (from Bucks),Tyler Smith (from Bucks) and Drew Timme (from Nets). Lakers would get Antetokounmpo (from Bucks), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (from Mavericks), Tyrese Martin (from Nets), a $4 million trade exception (Dalton Knecht) and a $2 million trade exception (Bronny James).
The Bucks would get RJ Barrett (from Raptors), PJ Washington (from Mavericks), Caleb Martin (from Mavericks), Naji Marshall (from Mavericks), $2 million trade exception (Tyler Smith), a 2026 first-round swap rights (from Lakers), a 2026 Lakers second-rounder (via Raptors), a 2028 first-round swap rights (from Lakers), a 2030 first-round swap rights (from Lakers), a 2031 first-rounder (from Lakers) and a 2032 first-round swap rights (from Lakers).
The Toronto Raptors would get involved and land Daniel Gafford (from Mavericks) and a $13.3 million trade exception (RJ Barrett). The Brooklyn Nets also get a piece by adding Dalton Knecht (from Lakers), Jaden Hardy (from Mavericks) and Dwight Powell (from Mavericks).
Lakers Don’t Have to Give up Austin Reaves in This Deal
The Lakers do have to give a lot to make this happen, and their draft flexibility would be nonexistent for several years, but they also wouldn’t have to give up emerging guard Austin Reaves in the process.
Pincus further explained why this would be a worthwhile trade for the Lakers.
“Any deal the Lakers make with James must come with his endorsement, since he has the no-trade clause,” Pincus wrote. “From the franchise’s point of view, it should get a massive haul for James. His age, however, limits how much other teams are willing to give. The collection of players going to the Bucks may be solid, but the Lakers need to give up essentially all of their available first-round compensation, plus Knecht (and Bronny James).
“Including Reaves is a step too far for the Lakers, who would have limited means to add an offensive player of that caliber with no future picks to offer and limited remaining trade bait.”
Doncic & Antetokounmpo Would Form Elite Duo
It’s hard to imagine many teams being able to compete with a Lakers team that has a healthy Doncic, Antetokounmpo and Reaves in the starting lineup. Doncic’s elite playmaking could even further unlock Antetokounmpo’s game.
The Lakers are always at their best when they have one of the best big men in the NBA. Antetokounmpo would be a perfect player to take up the mantle for Los Angeles.
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