NBA – “This package could allow the Lakers to get Giannis Antetokounmpo”

Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif

Mentioned in almost every major NBA departure rumour, the Lakers are now among the rumoured candidates for the arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo. And according to an American journalist, an offer would potentially allow them to complete the deal.

It’s hard to prove them wrong since the arrival in Los Angeles of a certain Luka Doncic. Armed with this landmark episode, Lakers fans can reasonably make their franchise a plausible destination for any superstar. And they’ve been doing just that in recent days, even before Shams Charania reported on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s questions about his future with the Bucks.

Lakers still alive in the Giannis case?

Supposedly tired of seeing his second title ambitions go unfulfilled in Milwaukee, Giannis is likely to pack his bags this summer. Echoes on this subject are numerous, and some indicate that the Greek Freak would rather be tempted by the prospect of staying in the Eastern Conference. Could this put paid to the Lakers’ chances? According to Sam Quinn of CBS Sports, that would be to misunderstand them:

Sam Quinn: You think the Lakers don’t have enough assets to trade to get another superstar? Oh, you’re cute. You must be new here. NBA history is full of lopsided trades in favor of the Lakers. We just saw the umpteenth one three months ago. Can you name any of the players they traded to get (Kareem) Abdul-Jabbar?

For the record, LA parted with Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith and Brian Winters in order to get Kareem back in 1975. Honest players, then, but nowhere near the caliber of the legendary pivot. All this to say that the Purple & Gold know how to be very persuasive in business when the game is worth the candle. This could be the case with Giannis, whose consideration could be as follows according to Quinn:

Sam Quinn: A package consisting of Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, other salaries and future draft assets wouldn’t allow a normal team to get their hands on Antetokounmpo, but we can’t rule out the possibility that it could allow the Lakers to get Giannis. If the latter wants to land there and is willing to complicate the task of his other suitors, it’s possible, if implausible.

As you can see, the Angelinos’ drawing power is enough to keep them alive in this case. That said, I’m not sure it will be enough for them to get the better of their rivals this time around. In fact, when asked about this, Shams Charania doesn’t seem to be giving them much of a chance. Perhaps it would be better for the team’s front office to focus on other avenues to strengthen this shaky squad.