The Los Angeles Lakers may once again be in position to chase one of the biggest stars in basketball: Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to Jovan Buha, the Lakers could emerge as a serious suitor for the Milwaukee Bucks superstar in 2026, depending on how the situation unfolds between Giannis and Milwaukee.
Buha, speaking on his podcast, said the Lakers might swoop in and potentially offer a competitive package, if the Bucks refuse to trade Giannis to the New York Knicks or dislike what New York has to offer. “
“So if that, for whatever reason, just can’t happen and Milwaukee refuses to play ball with New York because they just don’t want to trade him in conference, or they don’t like what New York’s offering, then the Lakers can swoop in and potentially offer a competitive package. They’ll have three draft picks as of next summer.”
“So could you do something with Austin and three picks, and Dalton and Rui, maybe a Rui sign-and-trade or something? Could you get in the mix for Giannis with that package? Maybe. I think there are teams that could outbid them for sure, especially with draft capital, but it just depends on what Milwaukee wants and how they view things.”
“So, I get that you’ve got to be careful with the cap space, but it does seem like the Lakers are a little bit more open to a short-term move.”
Buha clarified that the possibility remains a long shot, but it’s one the Lakers are quietly monitoring. The Bucks and Knicks reportedly held exploratory talks this past offseason, though no deal ever materialized. Giannis himself fueled speculation during his media availability, saying he is “committed to the Bucks right now”, but left the door open by adding that things could change six or seven months down the line.
That last part has the NBA world buzzing. Several insiders believe that this season could be Giannis’ final run in Milwaukee, especially if the Bucks fail to make a deep playoff push. The organization is facing pressure after three early postseason exits and the departure of Damian Lillard earlier this year.
From the Lakers’ perspective, timing will be everything. By the summer of 2026, they’ll be in a unique position: one that offers some flexibility but also clear limitations. Los Angeles will be able to trade three first-round picks, assuming they don’t make any major moves before then.
Those picks, combined with promising young pieces like Dalton Knecht and existing contributors like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, could form a respectable offer.
Still, the Lakers’ ability to compete financially and asset-wise with other teams remains questionable. Franchises such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, or New York Knicks all possess significantly more draft capital to work with.
The Lakers, by contrast, are cap-heavy and will need to consider future contracts for both LeBron James and Austin Reaves, who are expected to be free agents next offseason. That limits what Los Angeles can realistically put on the table.
Yet there’s one factor that always keeps the Lakers in the mix: star power attraction. Few teams can match Los Angeles’ appeal when it comes to market size, legacy, and branding opportunities. If Giannis were to request a trade specifically to the Lakers, as several stars have done before, the Bucks’ leverage would shrink dramatically.
At that point, Milwaukee might have to take the best offer available, even if it’s not the most loaded in terms of picks.
So while it’s far from a sure thing, Buha’s comments suggest that the Lakers will be ready if the door opens. They may not have the deepest war chest, but with a package built around Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, and three first-rounders, they’d at least have a seat at the table for the Greek Freak.
If Giannis Antetokounmpo ever decides to leave Milwaukee, don’t count the Lakers out because history has shown that when a generational superstar becomes available, Los Angeles always finds a way to make it interesting.
