Will the Los Angeles Lakers be able to contend for a championship in 2025-2026?
After a quick exit from the playoffs, thanks to Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, former Laker, Julius Randle, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers find themselves in a precarious position when it comes to their future after the earth-shattering trade that saw them receive Luka Doncic, earlier this year.
With Doncic only under contract for one more season before a near $46 million player option needs to be decided by the All-NBA guard coupled with LeBron James now over 40-years-old and considering retirement, general manager, Rob Pelinka has some work to do to bring the purple and gold back to prominence in 2025 and beyond.
Will Pelinka decide to surround Doncic (and perhaps James) with viable role players, but build some much-needed depth around the All-Star duo, or could the usually-aggressive executive decide to bring in a third All-NBA talent and former league MVP in the form of Giannis Antetokounmpo?
A potentially intriguing package for the Bucks to be interested in as well as figuring in the financials, here’s what a potential deal could look like that’ll send the two-time league MVP to the Lakers:
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2026 first-round pick (swap), 2028 first-round pick (swap), 2029 first-round pick (unprotected), 2031 first-round pick (unprotected), 2032 first-round pick (swap)
If Antetokounmpo ended up with the Lakers, it would create one of the most talented duos in NBA history between he and Luka Doncic. It would also likely help entice LeBron James to not consider retirement and return for at least one final season.
On the other side, while maybe other packages of higher-thought-of players would present themselves for the Bucks, the club could opt to decided to center their future on picks over the next number of years and with James likely set to retire in the next season or two, Antetokounmpo not getting any younger, and if the trade doesn’t bring the Lakers their 18th banner, Doncic could find himself disgruntled and ready to leave when he has to decide his $45.9 million player option, next summer.
