Proposed Trade Sees Lakers Swap LeBron James For 2-Time MVP
The Luka Doncic era is officially underway within the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Rob Pelinka spent this summer building out a supporting cast that suits the superstar’s skill set.
Of course,
Matt Moore of FanSided recently proposed a trade that would not only help LeBron but also position the
Los Angeles Lakers Get:
Milwaukee Bucks Get:
- LeBron James
- Austin Reaves
- two unprotected first-round picks
“Let’s talk about the Bucks’ side first. LeBron is not staying in Milwaukee, obviously. A buyout is agreed upon for $1, a symbolic gesture. LeBron can then sign with the Cavaliers,
On paper, this move would suit everyone involved. The Milwaukee Bucks have a path to clearing their cap sheet by buying out LeBron and trading
The Lakers Would Have a New Star Duo
Giannis and Doncic would instantly form a fearsome partnership. They would be the latest duo to don a Lakers jersey together and cement the franchise as the home of the superstar. A star tandem has anchored the
You can’t put a price on what a duo like that would do for the franchise, both in terms of on-court success and off-court marketability. Furthermore, having two of the top three European talents in the world leading the roster would certainly increase the
The hard part, of course, would be selling Milwaukee on the idea that clearing their cap sheet is the quickest route back to contention.
A Giannis Trade Is Unlikely
Unfortunately for the Lakers, the chance of landing Giannis is slim. According to an Oct. 7 report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the superstar forward recently pinpointed the
“Ever since the NBA Draft Combine in mid-May, Alex Saratsis — an Octagon managing director and Antetokounmpo’s U.S.-based representative — has fielded rampant interest in Antetokounmpo and conducted serious due diligence on the best possible outside fits,” Charania reported. “Several teams were discussed internally, but one emerged as the only place Antetokounmpo wanted to play outside of Milwaukee: the
However, you can never ignore the pulling power of playing in Los Angeles, especially when it means teaming up with Doncic. The Lakers would be better served by building a deep supporting cast to maximize Doncic’s skill set. As things stand, a move for Giannis may be nothing more than a pipe dream.
Mock Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Would Re-Ignite Warriors’ Dynasty
For the past few years, the Golden State Warriors‘ modus operandi has been to give Stephen Curry a shot at another NBA championship. Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy Jr. have done a solid job of constructing a roster that could do just that in the upcoming 2025-26
However, when you’re trying to reach the mountain top, keeping your ear to the trade market is a prerequisite. If a superstar suddenly becomes available, the Warriors would be wise to explore potential trade packages to bring them to the Bay Area — much like they did with
That’s where Giannis Antetokounmpo could come into the equation. The two-time MVP is reportedly unsettled with the Milwaukee Bucks, primarily due to their inability to put together a winning rotation in recent years. It’s for that reason that
The proposed trade looks like this:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Get:
- Draymond Green
- Moses Moody
- Buddy Hield
- Brandin Podziemski
- Two first round picks
“Obviously, Draymond is the third rail here,” Moore wrote. “Steph Curry might never approve it. But also, if you’re the
Pairing Giannis and Curry would instantly position the Warriors near the top of the Western Conference. Butler would also still be on the roster, as would Al Horford. On paper, Golden State would become nearly unstoppable with Giannis drawing defenders into the paint.
Stephen A. Warns NBA Of Giannis to Warriors
During a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, veteran anchor Stephen A. Smith warned that pairing Giannis and Curry would be a cheat code in the
“You want to talk about unfairness in the National Basketball Association, don’t let Giannis get to Golden State with Steph Curry,” Smith said on Oct. 9. “If that happens—oh, my Lord, it wouldn’t be fair to the basketball world for those two to be wearing the same uniform on the court, especially if you kept Draymond Green, who’s your point forward facilitator, who’s your Energizer Bunny, and who feeds Steph Curry better than anybody on the planet.”
“You want to talk about unfairness? … Don’t let Giannis get to Golden State with Steph Curry. If that happens… it wouldn’t be fair to the basketball world… [the Warriors] would coast to the [NBA] title.”
—Stephen A. Smith
(via @FirstTake)
On paper, Golden State would be the most seamless transition for Giannis. Their roster is already set up to maximize his skill set. Furthermore, if Milwaukee were put in a position to trade its star player, sending him out West would likely be favorable.
Warriors’ Young Talent Could Be Enticing
Getting both Green and Buddy Hield back in a trade package for Giannis would be less than ideal for the Bucks. If they move on from their superstar forward, they will likely be entering a rebuild. Therefore, the focus would be on getting back younger talent.
Fortunately, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody are high-level young prospects. They both have a high upside and could be intriguing prospects for the Bucks. Milwaukee’s front office could also try to re-route Green and Heild in separate deals to maximize their return.
There is a chance the Bucks could get a better package elsewhere. However, Podziemski’s inclusion in the deal could give Milwaukee a solid building block for the future. And, if Giannis is drawn to the idea of life in San Francisco, there should be enough of a spine to Moore’s trade proposal that Milwaukee could be tempted to play ball.
Of course, this is all speculative. But if Giannis does become available, you can’t count out Golden State as a potential destination.
