When the 2026 NBA offseason begins, all eyes will continue to be on Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Though he ultimately wasn't traded in 2025-26, extension conversations and renewed interest from contenders with access to more draft capital will revive negotiations.
In the event that the Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes are resumed, then the Los Angeles Lakers stand to benefit from interested parties' reluctance to make other moves.
Los Angeles could be one of the teams that attempts to trade for Antetokounmpo, but there's also a chance that they'll be looking elsewhere. They finally have cap space and the need for roster improvements ranges far beyond finding a new co-star for Luka Doncic.
That isn't to say that Antetokounmpo and Doncic wouldn't be a dynamic duo, of course, but instead to note that the Lakers could realistically prioritize depth, youth, and balance in free agency.
With this in mind, Los Angeles can capitalize on a potential repeat of the events that transpired near the trade deadline. With Antetokounmpo's future up in the air, many teams were left in a holding pattern as they shied away from pursuing other trades that could've prevented them from negotiating with Milwaukee.
If that scenario repeats during the offseason, then the Lakers could capitalize by signing the talent that other contenders are waiting to pursue until after the Antetokounmpo situation is resolved.
If Giannis puts NBA in another holding pattern, Lakers can be buyers
The 2026 class of free agents isn't quite as star-driven as some before it, but there are a surplus of quality players who could hit the open market. That includes high-level defensive options such as Luguentz Dort, Ayo Dosunmu, and Andrew Wiggins.
For a Lakers team that ranks No. 23 in defensive rating, there's a strong case to be made that the front office should priortiize players of that nature.
There are also several players entering restricted free agency whom Los Angeles should at least consider pursuing. That includes 2026 All-Star center Jalen Duren, 3-and-D specialist Tari Eason, shot-blocking dynamo Walker Kessler, and rising Denver Nuggets star Peyton Watson.
There are even unsung heroes such as Quentin Grimes who will be unrestricted free agents and could provide ideal value along the wings.
Though none of the aforementioned players would match Antetokounmpo's impact, the Lakers can build a significantly stronger supporting cast than what they currently have this coming summer. Moreover, they can begin the process of shifting the roster structure toward complementing Doncic after spending the past year-and-a-half with holdovers from the Anthony Davis era.
If the goal is to prioritize depth over Antetokounmpo, then the Lakers should do everything in their power to capitalize on other contenders' reluctance to act when golden opportunities otherwise exist.