3 NBA Stars The Lakers Could Pair With Luka Doncic Amid LeBron James’ Uncertain Future

Giannis Antetokounmpo is an interesting name to consider among the superstars in the league. Given the offseason drama surrounding him, Antetokounmpo would make for a solid target, but not necessarily via trade.

The possibility of a trade was enticing earlier in the offseason, with several teams emerging as potential landing spots. But a recent statement by the Milwaukee Bucks president effectively rules out any such move at the moment.

This doesn't necessarily shut the door on acquiring Antetokounmpo. The Bucks' current roster isn't primed to win. In addition to this, the 30-year-old forward has a $58,456,566 player option for the 2027-28 season. This opens up the possibility of signing him in free agency, a period when the Lakers are also expected to have enough cap space to land a superstar.

The notion of pairing Antetokounmpo with Doncic is truly intriguing. The Greek forward is one of the most dominant players in the league, having averaged 30.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game last season.

With the burden of playmaking taken out of his hands, a one-two pairing of Doncic and Antetokounmpo would be extremely formidable. While there would be some immediate issues with adjustment, the eventual product could be worthy of contending for the title.

The challenge in this scenario is the sheer number of variables at play. With many elements outside the Lakers' sphere of control, the Purple and Gold could struggle with completing such a deal.

Karl-Anthony Towns

Another potential target for the Lakers in the summer of 2027 could be New York Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns is coming off a solid season, which saw the Knicks reach their first ECF appearance in 25 years. Having averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds, the 29-year-old was exceptional on the offensive side of the ball.

In light of New York's exit from the playoffs, Towns ended up shouldering a lot of the blame for the losses. His relatively low effort on defense was ruthlessly criticized and used as a reason for the Knicks' shortcomings.

After the kind of season the big man had, this could be considered harsh. But in light of the large-scale changes happening in New York, it would not be a surprise if Towns were available on the trade market as of now.

For the Lakers, a straight swap between James and Towns would currently be financially feasible. Otherwise, the big man also has a $55,110,496 player option for the 2027-28 season. If he, like Antetokounmpo, chooses to opt out and test free agency, the Purple and Gold would have enough purchasing power to try and sign him.

Nikola Jokic

The inclusion of Nikola Jokic in this list could be considered outrageous, and rightfully so. But there is some merit in believing that the Purple and Gold could look to pair him with Doncic in the 2027 offseason.

Jokic reportedly declined a contract extension offer from the Nuggets. While this doesn't imply that he is actively looking to part ways with the franchise, it has certainly raised some concerns regarding his future with the team.

As things stand, the Nuggets' big man has a $62,841,702 player option for the 2027-28 season. Although he may choose to opt in to it, there is a scenario in which he opts out and tests free agency. This would allow the Lakers to sign him.

Last season, Jokic remained one of the best players in the league. Finishing second in the MVP race behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Serbian notched an unreal average of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game.

Considering how solid the chemistry between Jokic and Doncic already is, the Lakers could benefit from making this dream pairing a reality. However, the challenges in seeing this through to fruition make it highly unlikely for the Lakers to be able to complete it.

Summarizing The Lakers' Prospects

When considering the possibility of James being traded this season, the Lakers have several options to trade him in exchange for a superstar. However, if he is bought out or he plays on until he becomes a free agent, the Purple and Gold have fewer assets they can use in trade, thus forcing them to target the 2027 free agency class to acquire a superstar.

As things stand, the Lakers made a strong move by acquiring a big man like Deandre Ayton to pair with Doncic. With a reliable big man in the starting rotation, the Lakers can look to develop their wing depth. 

The Lakers need to understand the timelines that they are working with at this stage. Considering that most of the players on their roster are on expiring contracts, they will be able to clear up enough cap space for next season if no trades are made this year.

This would allow them to target a player like Andrew Wiggins, who has a $30,169,644 player option for the 2026-27 season. Should he opt out of it, the Purple and Gold could look to sign him as well.

Meanwhile, the emphasis on acquiring a big man in the 2027 offseason aligns with Ayton's contract coming to an end. In the event he becomes a significant contributor, the Purple and Gold may look to re-sign him, opening up the possibilities of using the remaining cap space to acquire a star in a different position.

Much of this still rests on Doncic's decision to sign a contract extension with the Lakers. Should the Slovenian star choose not to re-sign, the Purple and Gold may need to revisit their plans altogether.