While the Los Angeles Lakers’ trade season wasn’t as eventful as many fans hoped (Luke Kennard was their one acquisition), the franchise should feel confident about its chances of making a big-time move or two in the offseason.
After all, Los Angeles has the assets required to pull off a groundbreaking deal this summer to help Luka Doncic. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus believes there’s a chance the Lakers could acquire a 10-time All-Star in a trade involving Bronny James.
“A more reasonable projection may be $54 million in cap room,” Pincus wrote Monday. “However, the Lakers may look to deal their first-round pick, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James (to whatever team his father joins), and possibly Jarred Vanderbilt to maximize flexibility—or even land a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks via trade.” While it’ll take more than a first-round pick, Knecht, James, and Vanderbilt to land a high-caliber contributor like Antetokounmpo, the franchise has already identified the two-time MVP as its priority trade target.
Antetokounmpo has repeatedly stated that he wants to continue his NBA career with the Bucks despite the organization’s shortcomings. However, Antetokounmpo isn’t going to be in his prime forever, and his commitment to winning another title could eventually lead him to demand a trade from Milwaukee. The 31-year-old is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game with the 24-31 Bucks this season, shooting 64.5% from the field in 30 contests.
An electric two-way forward with valuable championship experience like Antetokounmpo would undoubtedly give the Lakers a significant leg-up on their competition moving forward.
