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With the 2026 NBA trade deadline less than a month away, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the biggest name on the market. While it’s hard to gauge how realistic the idea is of the Milwaukee Bucks wanting to move their franchise star, considering the back-and-forth rumors on his future with the team, numerous clubs around the league have been linked to the 2021 Finals MVP.
While the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and specifically the Los Angeles Lakers would be the most notable landing spots for Antetokounmpo, based on all the latest reports and rumors, one of those stands out above the rest; the Lakers.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report, Los Angeles was named a realistic target should Milwaukee choose to move away from the two-time regular season MVP and start a new era of the franchise.
The Lakers would likely have to give up the impending free agent Austin Reaves and a few other assets, but as he is set to earn a max contract this summer, sending him out for Antetokounmpo would likely be their best shot at landing another one of the best players of this century.
Lakers Have Upper Hand Over Warriors And Knicks In Giannis Trade Pursuit
The Knicks were also named in Eric Pincus’ B/R article as a realistic trade spot for Antetokounmpo, but considering the draft assets they could offer, as well as owner James Dolan’s recent comments on the team, a trade for him now feels unlikely.
We love our team right now. They have chemistry, they all like each other,” Dolan said, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
New York gave up four first-round picks in their deal for Mikal Bridges, and while some may argue that was an overpay, the trade has put them in some massive constraints as it relates to further team building. Yes, Shams Charania reported that both the player and team had mutual interest over the summer, but considering their trade restrictions and Dolan’s thoughts on the current roster, they don’t appear to be a top candidate anymore.
Inside the clouds leaving Giannis’ future hanging in the balance:
The Warriors are in a similar position, as they appear to be on the outside of the Antetokounmpo trade market. They would be forced to give up either Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green in a deal, along with Jonathan Kuminga and a few other assets. Along with their restrictions, the Bucks wanting back a player over 35 years old as the main package of a deal for their star also feels unlikely.
Though Kuminga will certainly be dealt before the trade deadline, Golden State will likely have to use him, as well as potentially Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, or another asset to make a smaller move for someone they hope can impact winning.
That leaves the Lakers. This Rob Pelinka-led front office has proven to be ruthless in the trade market as seen with their deal for Luka Doncic, and there is no real reason to think they should be counted out for a deal for Antetokounmpo.
Lakers Get Bad News On Top Trade Target
At the same time that the Lakers are hoping Antetokounmpo sees the writing on the wall and would prefer to team up with Doncic in this new era of the franchise over some of the other potential teams hoping to land him, the Greek Freak might be their best bet to take a risk on in the last month before the 2026 trade deadline.
The Lakers have been linked to a few players in particular over the past month, but the latest update signals they might not have the right assets for one of their top trade targets in particular.
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, the New Orleans Pelicans are looking to get at least two unprotected first-round picks in a potential trade for Trey Murphy. Los Angeles would only be able to offer up one, and while they could mean Herb Jones is still on the table, they now appear out of the Murphy trade sweepstakes.
Most recently, Murphy dropped a career-high 42 points in a loss the Lakers, in a game that saw LeBron James and Doncic each have 30 points in their third-straight win. While that could have been seen as a tryout for the Lakers, Murphy now doesn’t appear a realistic candidate.
Meanwhile, Sam Amick of The Athletic dropped an interesting line about how the Lakers’ brass sees Reaves. He described Jeanie Buss as the ‘captain of the Austin Reaves Fan Club’ and that they expect to pay him a max deal this summer.
That likely rules him out for being dealt for a mid-level contract player like Murphy, but if the money works, that could leave the door open on a trade for Antetokounmpo, but that would point to it happening this summer, rather than before the deadline.