Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo returns as the primary name being mentioned in trade chatter around the league. Following his social media activity and reports suggesting that he could request a trade in the coming days, his time in Milwaukee seems to be coming to an end.
The nine-time All-Star has already garnered interest from teams around the league. Given his reported inclination to play in a big market, the New York Knicks have already been projected as frontrunners to acquire him. On that note, reports have indicated that even the San Antonio Spurs are expected to be aggressive in attempting to trade for him.
Given the impact a player such as Giannis Antetokounmpo could have, it is inevitable for teams to make a run at acquiring him. But considering his intentions to play for a title contender, there are only a handful that appear to fit the bill.
In this regard, the Los Angeles Lakers, with a 15-5 record (2nd in the West), may emerge as a preferred landing spot. With the potential to become title-favorites, here’s a trade package that could enable the Purple and Gold to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Amir Coffey
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, 2026 first-round pick swap, 2028 first-round pick swap, 2032 first-round pick
What Do The Bucks Gain From This Trade?
Parting with Giannis Antetokounmpo would require the Bucks to receive significant draft compensation along with valuable player assets to help structure this rebuild. With this in mind, this trade scenario aims to satisfy Milwaukee’s immediate demands.
Aside from the potential first-round picks the Bucks would acquire in this trade, Milwaukee may also see a lot of merit in the players they acquire. Especially with players such as Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura joining the team in this proposal, the Bucks could have an opportunity to remain competitive.
Reaves has taken huge strides in development this season. After an explosive start to the new campaign, averaging 28.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, the 27-year-old has looked like an All-Star, even being mentioned in MVP discussions.
Given that the Bucks will essentially be in rebuild mode, adding a star-caliber player such as Austin Reaves next to their own young star, Ryan Rollins, could help the Bucks form their backcourt for the future.
Rui Hachimura could also be a significant addition to the team. He has been an elite perimeter shooting threat this season, averaging 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game on 54.2% shooting from the field and 46.1% from three-point range. While easily slotting in next to Bobby Portis and Myles Turner, the Bucks could boast a solid frontcourt unit.
Dalton Knecht, who is averaging 6.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game on 47.4% shooting from the field and 35.2% from three-point range, may garner some intrigue due to his status as a young player. But players such as Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber, who bring only veteran experience and grit, may not be viewed as favorable additions in a playing capacity.
Instead, they present value owing to their expiring contract status. With Hachimura, Vincent, and Kleber’s combined contract value amounting to approximately $40.7 million, the Bucks may see significant value in acquiring them to secure cap flexibility next summer.
How Does Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Addition Help The Lakers?
For the Lakers, acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo could be the difference between being a playoff contender and a favorite to win it all.
For the 2025-26 season, Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic have been viewed as the top contenders for the MVP award. By pairing the two together, the Purple and Gold would be forming one of the most formidable duos the NBA has ever seen.
This season, Antetokounmpo has looked unstoppable, averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, while shooting 63.9% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range. Although these figures have resulted from him carrying the Bucks, his past performances indicate that he is quite capable of producing similar numbers when paired with another star as well.
Along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Los Angeles would also acquire Amir Coffey. As a solid bench scorer, averaging 6.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game for his career, he could easily carve out a place for himself in the team’s rotation, earning more minutes owing to the departure of several players.
Among the many things Giannis Antetokounmpo brings to the table, the primary aspect is his defensive upside. Given L.A.’s current defensive woes, having a superstar who can actively address this issue would be a massive upgrade.
Aside from Doncic, the Lakers still have LeBron James, who has comfortably taken a secondary role in the offense. With a stronger superstar core, the Purple and Gold would undoubtedly be considered a contender in the West.
The Downside To This Trade
Like any trade scenario, this one also comes with its fair share of flaws. Although the Lakers would become a distinctly more formidable unit, the inherent problems associated with their bench depth remain unanswered. If anything, they are exacerbated by the departure of several rotation pieces, forcing the Lakers to sign free agents.
The bigger issue lies in the fit between Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Given that Doncic is prone to being ball-dominant, the Lakers could run the risk of having a stagnant offense where neither star is performing at their best, resulting in reduced scoring production.
While it is easy to be enamored by the idea of acquiring a superstar, the Lakers may not need to do so just yet. In this regard, targeting the free agency window in the 2027 offseason to restructure the core may be a more fruitful endeavor for the Purple and Gold.
