Trying to predict when the Giannis Antetokounmpo fiasco would finally reach its long overdue end has been the saga that has kept fans and insiders alike both glued to their seats, and endlessly annoyed. Daringly, it can likely be said that a natural conclusion will finally come in the summer.
Shams Charania reported: "The [Milwaukee] Bucks will be open to trade talks regarding Antetokounmpo, and the highest levels of the organization have come to terms with the inevitability of a likely deal coming to fruition this offseason, sources told ESPN."
The situation has only grown shakier in Milwaukee, as Charania detailed. The confusion surrounding the injury management of Giannis for a Bucks team that has embraced tanking since being mathematically eliminated has added the cherry on top of the disaster sundae.
In being one of the marquee destinations in the league for superstars throughout their team history, the Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed inevitable connections to Antetokounmpo throughout parts of this process. This offseason will finally answer if there is any real substance to the links between both sides.
Whether Giannis will wear a Lakers jersey is due for an answer in the summer
The idea of Giannis in purple and gold might actually outweigh the product of what that could look like at this point. Mainly, any roster build that features a three-star approach similar to what the Lakers currently have is bound to have the same depth issues.
Another recent report suggested the Lakers are not simply interested in taking the cap room that will be available to them and pivoting that into a star who is not LeBron James. That should mean Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the two players expected to headline the immediate future in Los Angeles, are not getting a Giannis-sized plug on attempting to address their issues.
Would the Lakers entertain the idea of letting go of Reaves in a sign-and-trade that features Antetokounmpo on the other end? That might be the real question here.
Despite the temptation that a name like Giannis carries, it is worth noting that Antetokounmpo is 31 years old and coming off a season of being battered and injured. For a basketball player who relies mightily on athleticism, that could be concerning.
Directly acquiring Antetokounmpo is not the only way the Lakers might benefit from the Giannis saga coming to an end. With all their looming cap space, Los Angeles could help facilitate any deal that helps them improve in the process.
That may just be the best way the Lakers could involve themselves in the upcoming offseason sweepstakes. One way or another, though, there should be importance for Los Angeles in seeing how this final chapter for Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee plays out.