Shams Charania built up major hype about a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade request before the NBA offseason got going. Now, his latest announcement has all but sealed up hopes of the Milwaukee Bucks superstar leaving his current team in the near future.
Charania announced on Twitter/X, "Thanasis Antetokounmpo is signing a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. ... This also means after a summer of exploring options, Giannis is staying in Milwaukee to start the season."
That final statement by the NBA insider may have felt like a dagger to the hearts of many Los Angeles Lakers fans who were hoping to see Luka Doncic get a new superstar running mate sooner than later. However, this is ultimately good news for Rob Pelinka and company.
The Lakers would have had a difficult time satisfying the asking price in the scenario of the Bucks shopping Antetokounmpo on the trade market. The delay in the potential exit of superstar forward does actually bode well for Los Angeles in the long run.
Antetokounmpo's only path to the Lakers is painfully obvious
Dreaming of Giannis' arrival in Hollywood may be wishful thinking, at best. For those who refuse to give up on the juicy idea of Doncic and Antetokounmpo forming the most terrifying duo in the NBA, the arrival of Thanasis is good news.
Giannis extending his stay with the Bucks, without a long-term extension, is exactly what Pelinka and the front office should want. That would mean the chances of him ending up on the open market in 2027 could be a very real opportunity.
Pitching the bright lights of a massive market like Los Angeles alongside the allure of hooping with Doncic is a strong position to be in when asking a superstar to come to your team outright as a free agent. It would be the best chance at actually making a massive fantasy become a reality.
The incredible amount of mental gymnastics that would require picturing Antetokounmpo joining the Lakers via trade are tantalizing. The asset pool simply does not work in Pelinka's favor.
Getting to the 2027 offseason would mean the Lakers go through two uncertain seasons until then. A lot can change in two years. Antetokounmpo, himself, will also be 32 years old by the time the Bucks superstar could hit free agency.
None of this will prevent some Lakers fans from dreaming. As of today, that dream remains vibrant as ever.