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Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Lakers Star Seen as 'Surefire' First Trade Chip in Possible Giannis Antetokounmpo Deal

Originally posted on Los Angeles Lakers on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated Aug 20, 2025 12:30 PM ET

A key Los Angeles Lakers star player is considered a "surefire" possible trade chip to land nine-time All-NBA Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Lakers have been apparently eyeing an acquisition of the two-time league MVP in a variety of configurations.

The 6-foot-11 vet, 30, could hit free agency as soon as 2027. He and another multi-time MVP, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, both have player options for the 2027-28 season.

Los Angeles team president Rob Pelinka has been not-so-subtly prioritizing maximum cap room that season, likely in case the opportunity to pursue both superstar big men arises.

More news: Lakers Insider Provides Major Injury Update on Rookie Who Missed Summer League

Another approach the Lakers could take before then, however, is a blockbuster trade.

While other teams have far more assets (in terms of draft equity, anyway), that certainly didn't stop the Lakers from pulling off the heist of the century, when they flipped 32-year-old center Anthony Davis, swingman Max Christie, and just one future draft pick for 26-year-old All-NBA guard Luka Doncic.

Bucks general manager Jon Horst has made plenty of questionable moves lately while trying to convince Antetokounmpo to not demand a deal out of town. He stretched and waived the bloated $112.6 million contract of nine-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard, to the point where the team's cap will impacted for the next five seasons instead of the last two.

Now, the 6-foot-2 Weber State product will earn $22.5 million annually to not play for Milwaukee.

Horst has whiffed on most of his draft picks during Antetokounmpo's prime so far.

Should Antetokounmpo demand to be dealt, maybe Horst really would be amenable to a lopsided deal with Los Angeles?

One Lakers pro, in particular, seems likeliest to be requested by Milwaukee in any trade for Antetokounmpo.

“It’s almost a surefire thing that if the Lakers and say, the Bucks, get into trade negotiations for Giannis, the first name in terms of players that Milwaukee is going to ask about is Reaves,” ClutchPoints' Anthony Irwin said on a new episode of the "Lakers Lounge" podcast.

More news: $51 Million Lakers Forward Named Top Trade Candidate Heading Into Season

Reaves' fit alongside Lakers All-Stars Doncic and LeBron James has been awkward at best.

All three players are impressive three-level scorers who thrive most with the ball in their hands, and none are particularly great defenders.

Given that all three play major minutes alongside each other, the ir presence has led to an occasionally porous L.A. defense.

James can hardly be blamed, he's 40. The former six-time All-Defensive Teamer can still turn it up on that end of the court in the playoffs, but even then he's no longer elite containing the opposition. The four-time league MVP remains one of the league's best scorers and passers even now, however.

Reaves, who joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, has fringe All-Star potential, but he may benefit from having the ball in his hands more extensively in a fresh situation.

In 73 healthy bouts for the 50-win Lakers last year, the 6-foot-5 Oklahoma product averaged 20.2 points on .460/.377/.877 shooting splits, 5.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals a night.

L.A. can trade its own 2031 first-rounder, its 2032 second-rounder, and swap rights to its first-round picks in 2026, '28, '30 and '32. Would Reaves, those assets, 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht, and some contracts be enough to interest Milwaukee?

Other teams have significantly better draft equity. For a Bucks team whose draft assets have been totally exhausted in its deals for Jrue Holiday and Lillard, the club may want to bring in more returning chips.