Carlos Boozer believes that if Giannis Antetokounmpo truly wants to maximize his career and win more championships, teaming up with Luka Doncic in Los Angeles could be the perfect move. Speaking recently on NBA Today, Boozer floated the idea of Giannis joining the Lakers if he decides to leave Milwaukee, saying,
“If Giannis doesn’t want to come back to Milwaukee and it’s really up to him if he wants to stay or doesn’t want to stay that would revitalize the Miami fan base. But for me, if I’m Giannis and I don’t want to go back to Milwaukee, maybe you go play with Luka… if you want to win.”
Giannis’ future in Milwaukee has become a massive question mark following Damian Lillard’s devastating Achilles injury. With Lillard likely sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season, the Bucks’ championship window has almost certainly slammed shut.
Milwaukee is staring down a 3-1 first-round series deficit to the Indiana Pacers, and if they are eliminated early again, it would mark the Bucks’ third straight postseason exit before the second round. Despite Giannis continuing to play at an MVP level and putting up dominant numbers, the reality is that he has just one playoff series win since lifting the title in 2021.
Giannis has made it clear repeatedly over the past year that winning is his top priority, even if that means leaving the franchise where he became a two-time MVP and champion. As Boozer pointed out, if Giannis does choose to leave, teaming up with another superstar like Luka Doncic could be a generational pairing that keeps him in title contention for the next decade.
The Lakers, meanwhile, pulled off a blockbuster move last offseason to acquire Doncic, pairing him with LeBron James for a championship push. But with LeBron now 40 years old and nearing the end of his incredible career, Los Angeles is already planning for the future.
Landing Giannis would not only keep the Lakers in the championship conversation post-LeBron but would likely create the most dominant duo in the NBA, a perfect combination of Luka’s offensive brilliance and Giannis’ two-way dominance.
Of course, it would take an enormous package to pry Giannis away from the Bucks, even if he demanded a trade. The Lakers would have to gut some of their depth, including young assets like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and multiple future first-round picks.
But as Boozer suggested, if Giannis makes it clear he wants out, Milwaukee’s leverage decreases drastically, opening the door for the Lakers to strike.
There are other suitors, too. The Brooklyn Nets have been linked to Giannis for some time, given his growing business interests in New York and the Nets’ accumulation of assets. They would likely offer stiff competition if Giannis were available. However, the Lakers’ combination of brand appeal, championship legacy, and Luka Doncic would be tough for any player, even Giannis, to turn down.
For now, it’s all speculation. But if the Bucks’ playoff run ends as expected and Giannis looks at his options, Los Angeles could quickly move from a dream scenario to a real possibility.
