“Year 13! Let’s hoop.” That was the caption Giannis Antetokounmpo used in a recent post on X in which he shared a photo of himself in a Milwaukee Bucks jersey. The post confirmed that the Greek Freak is gearing up to begin his 13th NBA season with the Bucks and is set to make his preseason debut against the Chicago Bulls on October 12. But even as Antetokounmpo prepares for another run in Milwaukee, the NBA rumor mill refuses to slow down. Over the past few days, speculation about a possible Antetokounmpo trade has dominated social media. And now, another powerhouse franchise has entered the conversation.
What Has a Lakers Insider Said Regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Just a few days ago, ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that Antetokounmpo was exploring a potential change of teams, and the New York Knicks reportedly emerged as his preferred destination.
The news instantly went viral, sparking debates and speculative trade scenarios across the league. However, Charania didn’t stop there.
Barely a day later, he followed up with an even bigger update that Antetokounmpo, along with his agent, was now exploring several other teams. Particularly those teams that are capable of both complementing his playstyle and positioning him for another championship run. That second report sent shockwaves through the NBA community. Fans and analysts alike began drawing up lists of possible landing spots, and as expected, the Lakers quickly became a hot topic.
Now, according to Lakers insider Jovan Buha, the purple and gold may indeed be adjusting their long-term plans.
“Giannis Antetokounmpo has left the door cracked open. But we’ve since had the reporting that Giannis’s preferred destination was the Knicks, not the Lakers…”
“I wonder if the Lakers’ recent shift toward being more of a kind of short-term or win-now mode is maybe in part due to Doncic’s success at EuroBasket, but I think more so maybe gaining some intel that some of the big fish that they were hoping to catch are not going to be available or as available as they thought,” said Buha in a recent YouTube video.
Buha explained that the Lakers’ front office is beginning to sense that some of their targets might not be as attainable as once thought. Therefore, they might open the door for a potential run at Antetokounmpo.
“So if that, for whatever reason, just can’t happen and Milwaukee refuses to play ball with New York because they just they don’t want to trade him in conference, they don’t like what New York’s offering, then the Lakers can swoop in and potentially offer a competitive package,” added Buha in the video.
Fans have been quick to question whether the Lakers could realistically offer a trade package strong enough to pry Antetokounmpo away from the Milwaukee Bucks. But if last season proved anything, it’s that nothing is impossible in this league.
The Lakers shocked everyone when they managed to land Luka Dončić from the Mavericks in a stunning move that sent Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a draft pick the other way, which is a deal no one saw coming. So while improbable, a pursuit of Antetokounmpo isn’t entirely off the table.
How Giannis Antetokounmpo Can Help the Lakers (If He Joins)?
If Antetokounmpo were to don the purple and gold, his dominant 2024–25 campaign in which he averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game on 60.1% shooting from the field would completely reshape the Lakers’ frontcourt.
His presence alongside LeBron James and Dončić would create one of the most lethal offensive and defensive trios in NBA history. If we see Antetokounmpo’s two-way dominance would relieve Dončić of defensive pressure. While his transition playmaking would help James whith his court vision which would create easy looks for shooters like Austin Reaves and reduce turnovers in essential moments. It remains to be seen what ultimately happens. Whether the Bucks manage to retain their generational superstar or the Lakers swoop in to alter the league’s balance once again, one thing’s for sure: the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes has only just begun.
