Milwaukee Bucks star and Los Angeles Lakers trade target Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the center of attention this week.
The 6-foot-11 NBA champion reportedly is unsure he can reach his desired level in the postseason with the Bucks and is mulling his future with the Eastern Conference franchise.
The Lakers are among the contenders expected to be in the mix for Antetokounmpo should he be available on the trade market this season.
Hours after ESPN’s Shams Charania's Wednesday afternoon report, though, Antetokounmpo suffered a calf sprain in the Bucks’ contest against the Detroit Pistons and was unable to return to the contest.
While Antetokounmpo’s updated injury update is bad news for the Bucks, there’s no question it’s good news for Luka Doncic and the Lakers.
“Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be sidelined for approximately two to four weeks with a right calf strain,” Charania stated Thursday.
If Antetokounmpo had been ruled out for the season, the idea of trading for the 2021 NBA Finals MVP wouldn’t have been logical for Los Angeles.
It’s one thing if a player is slated to return later in the season, but knowing that he won’t be able to assist your team during a potential championship run would undoubtedly change a franchise’s trade approach.
Although Antetokounmpo is a contributor who would help shape the Lakers’ future alongside Doncic, his immediate impact would have been sorely missed by a Los Angeles squad that believes they can compete for a title this season.
Fortunately, Antetokounmpo's absence will be long enough to cause the 10-13 Bucks to spiral out of control and short enough to keep the Lakers’ trade hopes alive.
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