The Los Angeles Lakers are looking forward, with a future that doesn’t include LeBron James, but one that potentially includes Giannis Antetokounmpo to pair with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers had a somewhat quiet trade deadline, choosing only to move guard Gabe Vincent for three-point shooter Luke Kennard, but despite only making the one trade, the franchise is setting itself up for major cap space and flexibility this summer.
According to team insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles is looking to add Antetokounmpo this summer, should the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade the two-time MVP, after keeping him at the February 5th trade deadline.
“The Lakes, team sources told ESPN, obviously see the appeal in Antetokounmpo and believe they would be one of the teams on a very short list if the Bucks star asks for a trade out of Milwaukee,” McMenamin wrote. “A Western Conference executive told ESPN he believes Antetokounmpo is the “big prize” the Lakers hope to land, should the Milwaukee Bucks decide to trade the 2021 NBA Finals MVP in the offseason.”
At the same time hopes of Antetokounmpo joining the Lakers this summer are growing, the speculation that James will leave the team as a free agent continues to look like the most likely outcome, and with his contract off the books, Los Angeles would have enough cap space to add the 2021 Finals MVP, and potentially sign him to a near-max contract extension.
Lakers Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors Heating Up
Though the Lakers weren’t named as one of the four teams by Shams Charania as in the race to land Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline, that was likely due to the limited amount of assets they had to move at the time, but over the offseason, that’s a much different story.
Los Angeles will have at least three first-round picks to be able to send to Milwaukee, and while they might not have a lot of other young players to move, Reaves could potentially be on the table to match money.
“Still, the Lakers’ potential trade package for Antetokounmpo becomes more appealing in the offseason than it would have been if they’d decided to get involved with those talks earlier this month,” McMenamin wrote. “The Lakers’ offer would center on those three future first-round picks, which could be more appealing to Milwaukee if it intends to enter into a full reset post Antetokounmpo, rather than rebuilding on the fly with an offer from a team like the New York Knicks.“
Additionally, the Lakers’ new ownership group could be a signal that a big trade for Antetokounmpo is coming, as with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark Walter has consistently proven to do whatever it takes financially to build a winning team.
In an interview during All-Star Weekend, Antetokounmpo himself named the franchise as one he would be interested in playing for, should his Bucks tenure come to an end.
It would require a big swing from Rob Pelinka and the rest of the front office, but having even a slight chance to pair Antetokounmpo with Doncic is impossible not to at least entertain.
“[They could] just say, ‘(Expletive) it,’” an Eastern Conference executive told McMenamin. “And go all-in on Giannis.”
With James likely walking this summer, the Lakers are expected to have roughly $50 million in cap space, making a trade for the Greek Freak much easier compared to some of the other teams in the hunt.
LeBron James Lakers Future Remains Murky, Likely Coming To An End
In the same article addressing the potential of Antetokounmpo heading to Hollywood, McMenamin discussed what has now become one of the biggest stories in the league over the past few months: James’ future with the Lakers.
There have rumblings of James leaving the team ever since he picked up his player option last offseason, and while he hasn’t directly addressed the rumors, a breakup appears imminent.
“The first thing they have to do is move off LeBron,” the executive also said to the insider. “Let him walk and use the space to retool around Luka. Keeping Reaves is critical. [Doncic] plays best with another ball handler/creator like with Kyrie [Irving] and [Jalen] Brunson.”
The only way James would return to Los Angeles would likely be on a much smaller contract, but considering his impact, recognition, and massive brand of just his name alone, the league’s all-time scoring leader could land another big deal, but it would have to be with another team.
Pelinka made it clear that the team is open to James retiring with the Lakers, but any deal that is more than the roughly $14 million mid-level contract would drastically hinder their ability to put together a winning team in the Western Conference.
“If James were to return, his salary would be a major factor in determining exactly what kind of team L.A. could build,” McMenamin added. “And it will take a significant amount of cap space to address the holes in the current roster.”
Additionally, if the Lakers can’t land the ‘big prize’ in Antetokounmpo this summer, they have been linked to other restricted free agents like Tari Eason, Peyton Watson, Andrew Wiggins, Quentin Grimes, Tobias Harris, and Dean Wade, all of whom would be strong additions on the wings next to Doncic and Reaves.
Yet still, it remains to be seen how the Lakers’ roster will look at the start of next season, but changes appear imminent, and James is likely on his way out.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lakers Get Good News On Giannis Trade Rumors, Urged To ‘Move Off’ LeBron appeared first on Heavy Sports.