The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a devastating blow this week when star guard Damian Lillard was diagnosed with a torn left Achilles tendon, an injury expected to sideline him for the entire 2025-26 season (via ESPN’s Shams Charania). Lillard’s absence not only ends his campaign prematurely but also leaves the Bucks thin at the point—fueling a growing chorus of calls for Milwaukee to consider trading perennial All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee entered the 2025 playoffs as the East’s fifth seed but have stumbled out of the gate, falling into a 3-1 hole against the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Across the regular season, Antetokounmpo lived up to his two-time MVP billing, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists on 60.1 percent shooting—numbers that rank among the most dominant in league history.
Yet with Lillard’s injury and the team’s playoff struggles, many fans argue that pairing Antetokounmpo with the Lakers’ dynamic duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic could vault Los Angeles into immediate title contention.
Yet with Lillard’s injury and the team’s playoff struggles, many fans argue that pairing Antetokounmpo with the Lakers’ dynamic duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic could vault Los Angeles into immediate title contention.
Trade rumors have continued to swirl in and fans have hoped on social media to voice their opinion on a possible Antetokounmpo trade:
“Send this guy to the Lakers,” one fan wrote.
“Giannis’ villain arc in a Laker uniform alongside 77 is going to be so fun, man,” another wrote.
“Would trade everything to get him to the Lakers,” another fan added.
Meanwhile, the Lakers themselves are on the brink of elimination, trailing the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-1 in their own first-round series. A franchise that boasts 17 championships and two of the league’s greatest players now finds itself to stay alive—ironically mirroring Milwaukee’s precarious position.
