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Giannis Antetokounmpo reignited Los Angeles Lakers trade speculation during NBA All-Star Weekend after openly reflecting on franchises he once dreamed of playing for — including the Lakers — in an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
Antetokounmpo opened the interview by stressing his current commitment to Milwaukee.
“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks and I’m committed to the people that I work with — my teammates, the coaching staff, Coach Doc (Rivers), (general manager) John (Horst) and the front office,” Antetokounmpo said. “You will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck.”
Giannis Names Lakers Among Dream Teams
He then pivoted to broader reflections on childhood dreams and hypothetical scenarios, naming the Lakers among several iconic franchises.
“Growing up, you dream, ‘Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden? What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I’m teammates with Kobe? What if I go play for the Cavs and LeBron passes me the ball?’” Antetokounmpo said.
Antetokounmpo also mentioned the recent champions, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, as teams he has pondered in abstract terms, framing the comments as natural curiosity from a competitive standpoint.
“If there will ever be a scenario where I’m not a Milwaukee Buck anymore, I just wanted anybody to know, like, hey man, I didn’t quit on my team because it’s my team, and I love it,” he said.
While emphasizing loyalty, Antetokounmpo’s phrasing — particularly “as of today” — resonated around the league, where his long-term future has remained a recurring topic amid Milwaukee’s uneven season.
Championship Pressure Behind Giannis’ Mindset
Antetokounmpo later explained his internal conflict using a metaphor that underscored his hunger to win another championship.
He compared the Bucks’ 2021 NBA title run to enjoying an exceptional steak, while describing the seasons that followed — including three straight first-round playoff exits — as meals that failed to measure up.
“You want that steak again,” Antetokounmpo said. “But that’s where you have to come to the realization that, ‘What if I fail in this, I won’t feel it again and stay in Milwaukee?’ And are you okay with that? And the answer is no, I’m not.”
The analogy highlighted Antetokounmpo’s continued focus on championship contention as the defining factor in his long-term outlook.
Bucks Expected to Revisit Giannis Trade Talks
The Bucks fielded trade inquiries for Antetokounmpo ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline but opted to keep the two-time MVP after failing to receive an offer deemed franchise-altering.
ESPN insider Shams Charania previously reported that Antetokounmpo has been “ready for a new home” for months, whether at the deadline or in the offseason. ESPN later reported that both sides are expected to reexamine trade possibilities this summer, citing league sources.
Antetokounmpo has one guaranteed year remaining on his contract after this season, a timeline that grants him considerable leverage if discussions escalate.
Luka Dončić Was Previously Linked to Lakers’ Giannis Interest
GettyLos Angeles Lakers making a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo remains in reach, but they might have to wait for a few things to play out first.
A prior report earlier this season also connected Antetokounmpo to the Lakers — and to Luka Dončić.
In December, Fox 32 Chicago broadcaster Lou Canellis said that Dončić had pushed behind the scenes for the Lakers to explore a trade for Antetokounmpo as questions mounted around Milwaukee’s direction.
“I can tell you this for a fact,” Canellis said at the time on 670 The Score. “A few months ago, Giannis wanted to be traded. His first choice was the Knicks. The Lakers inquired — and Luka Dončić himself inquired.”
The report was not independently confirmed by the teams involved but underscored that league intrigue surrounding Antetokounmpo — and the Lakers’ interest — predates All-Star Weekend by several months.
Lakers’ Offseason Assets Align With Giannis Timeline
Milwaukee’s decision to hold Antetokounmpo through the deadline shifts attention to the offseason — a calendar turn that significantly improves the Lakers’ flexibility.
By summer, Los Angeles will control three tradable first-round picks (2026, 2031, and 2033). The Lakers will also gain clarity on the futures of LeBron James and Austin Reaves, both central variables in any potential blockbuster.
James, who turns 41, is expected to reach unrestricted free agency, potentially opening new roster and cap pathways.
Under NBA rules, only the Lakers can offer Reaves a five-year maximum contract, creating a sign-and-trade mechanism unavailable during the season.
According to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, such a deal would project to five years, $240.7 million, with an average annual value of $48.14 million — closer to Antetokounmpo’s projected $58.5 million salary next season.
Any sign-and-trade would require Reaves’ consent as an unrestricted free agent.
Giannis Extension Timeline Adds Urgency
ESPN salary cap analyst Bobby Marks reported that beginning Oct. 1, Antetokounmpo will be eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million extension with Milwaukee. If traded in the offseason, he would need to wait six months to sign a new maximum contract.
Whether that Lakers dream becomes reality now may depend less on patience than on timing — and how quickly Antetokounmpo chooses to shape the market around him.