Reporter discusses Lakers' chances of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo

Do the Los Angeles Lakers have a realistic chance of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer? 

On Monday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Milwaukee Bucks forward is "open-minded" about playing elsewhere for the first time in his career. A potential Lakers-Antetokounmpo trade may hinge on whether the 2020-21 Finals MVP wants to play in L.A.

On a Monday episode of "Get Up," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the Bucks will want multiple draft picks to enter rebuilding mode. Milwaukee has just one pick (No. 47 in the second round) in the 2025 NBA Draft. 

"So ideally, the Bucks want players, and they're going to want other teams' picks," Windhorst said. "There are several teams who have this exact package, including San Antonio, Houston and Brooklyn." 

The Lakers have just one pick (No. 55 in the second round) in the 2025 draft. They lack draft capital but do have stars.

L.A.'s roster features forward LeBron James and guard Luka Doncic. Forming a trio with these fellow standouts may appeal to Antetokounmpo. 

"Could Giannis come in and say, 'I am going nowhere but the Lakers?' Yes," Windhorst said. "And if that happens, that would increase it. But I don't think the Lakers or the Knicks could make an offer that's in the top five or six. But because Giannis potentially has agency in this, then you would say that his words matter a lot."

If Antetokounmpo said he wanted to play for the Lakers, L.A. would need to clear cap space for a potential extension. The 30-year-old is under contract until the 2026-27 season, with a $62.79M player option for 2027-28. 

Spotrac estimates the Lakers will be $59.8M over the cap and $3.69M over the tax threshold this offseason. If James exercises his player option ($52.63M) before the June 29 deadline, that would devour more cap room.

To cut costs, the Lakers may include guard Austin Reaves and forward Rui Hachimura in a trade package. Next season, Hachimura has the team's third-highest cap hit ($18.26M), and Reaves has the fifth-highest ($13.94M).

Trading for Antetokounmpo could prove tricky for the Lakers. However, after consecutive first-round playoff exits, they must make big moves this offseason. Acquiring a player of the Greek star's caliber could be the biggest.