The Los Angeles Lakers officially claimed the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference following their thrilling 112-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.
The 17-6 Lakers have won nine of their last 11 games and have a daunting big three they can depend on nightly (Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, and LeBron James).
Still, the organization is one blockbuster trade away from bolstering its championship hopes to a level it hasn’t reached in years.
Disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will likely be available this season, and bombshell trade news involving Antetokounmpo and Doncic should excite the Lakers as they survey all their options.
“I can tell you this for a fact,” Fox32 Chicago’s Lou Canellis said on 670 The Score last Thursday. “A few months ago, Giannis wanted to be traded. His first choice, New York with the Knicks.”
“Knicks wouldn’t move off, would not offer more than just Karl-Anthony Towns, and it just wasn’t going to work with the Milwaukee Bucks if they’re going to give up Giannis Antetokounmpo.”
“I can tell you that the Lakers inquired and Luka Doncic himself inquired, trying to see if the Lakers could work out a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Now remember, Giannis wants to leave because he wants to win.”
Considering Luka and the Lakers have expressed interest in Antetokounmpo, Antetokounmpo isn’t pleased with Milwaukee’s direction, and Los Angeles reportedly has the best asset for a trade involving the 30-year-old NBA champion (Reaves), everything appears to be lining up nicely for a groundbreaking midseason transaction.
The Lakers haven’t hesitated to appease Doncic since acquiring him in February, signing Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton in free agency to give the former Dallas Mavericks star assistance on both ends of the floor.
Would the Lakers continue that trend even if it meant sacrificing a future All-Star in Reaves? Most likely, as Antetokounmpo is a once-in-a-lifetime type of athlete who’s already won a championship, and could make the Lakers’ offense unstoppable moving forward.
Time will tell if a trade actually comes to fruition.
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