Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, widely expected to be traded by the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, reportedly has no interest in playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Per ESPN’s Jay Williams and Stephen A. Smith, Antetokounmpo would prefer a move to the New York Knicks or to stay out East rather than play in Los Angeles.
“He don’t want to be in LA,” Williams told “First Take” while discussing Giannis’ next destination.
“I was told he doesn’t want to be in LA,” Smith chimed in, agreeing with Williams.
It’s worth noting that Williams and Antetokounmpo have a close business partnership and are co-founders of Improbable Media, a media production company. As such, Williams is as connected to the “Greek Freak” as anyone in the NBA landscape.
Lakers Trade Options
The Lakers are estimated to have over $50M in cap space this summer, and that’s even after paying free agent Austin Reaves a five-year deal north of $200M.
The Rob Pelinka-led front office is expected to use that cap space to make significant roster upgrades via both free agency and trades, with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin linking them to the likes of Peyton Watson, Andrew Wiggins, Tari Eason, Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes, and Dean Wade. Some insiders also expect them to seek frontcourt help by pursuing Isaiah Hartenstein, Mitchell Robinson or even Jarrett Allen.
The Lakers will also have up to three tradeable first-round picks they can use in a potential Giannis trade or any other blockbuster move.
Giannis Trade Inevitable
The Bucks and Antetokounmpo are headed for a split this offseason, per an extensive report published by ESPN’s Shams Charania on April 7. While the Bucks are expected to offer their longtime franchise star a a $275M extension, they are reportedly more prepared than ever to move away from the 2021 NBA Finals MVP.
“The Bucks will be open to trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo, and the highest levels of the organization have come to terms with the inevitability of a likely deal coming to fruition this offseason, sources told ESPN,” Charania wrote in his report.
“This is as toxic of a team situation as any in the league,” one source close to the team told ESPN. “They waited until the very end on Giannis, and now everyone knows.”
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