The Los Angeles Lakers want to be in on the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes after the star demanded a trade out of Milwaukee, but acquiring him means giving up Austin Reaves. AR is having a breakout season and could be a multiple-time All-Star. The 27-year-old is just entering his prime and keeps improving. Parting with him won’t be easy, but it is the Lakers' only path to pairing the Greek Freak with Luka Doncic.
Reaves is a Lakers success story. They signed the undrafted rookie in 2021 and watched him blossom into a star, but the full breakout is coming at a bad time. Reaves will decline a $14.9 million player option this summer and become an unrestricted free agent. His new contract will be massive, and the Lakers have to hope Reaves wants to be in LA. If he desires to be the face of a team, it could be just like when Jalen Brunson ditched Doncic and the Mavericks to join the Knicks.
Giannis is available, and it will take a monster offer to get him. The Lakers can put together an enticing package, but they would want a long-term commitment from the Greek Freak. Assuming they get it, AR should be on the table.
Lakers should be willing to trade Austin Reaves for Giannis Antetokounmpo
This is no slight on Reaves. He is an All-Star and one of the 30 best players in the NBA, but this is Giannis. Making this trade is no different than giving up Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Doncic. When a top-five player in the world becomes available, teams should be willing to sacrifice lesser All-Stars to upgrade.
Giannis wants to compete for championships, and what better place than Hollywood? The Lakers have 17 rings and are committed to building a title contender around Luka. Antetokounmpo's elite defense, rebounding, and ability as a roll man make this a perfect match. No team would be able to stop their two-man game. It would be a terrifying duo that could win multiple titles.
Even beyond Reaves’ upcoming free agency, the Lakers have issues. If they make AR their second star, Los Angeles has two subpar defenders in their backcourt and must meticulously build their roster around them. With Giannis replacing Reaves, the fit is more seamless, and the front office has several paths to finding the right role players.
The Lakers are a star-driven franchise. They won their last championship with a prime LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It was two of the world's top ten players teaming up to get the job done. Los Angeles could repeat that blueprint with a Giannis trade. Winning the bidding war won’t be easy, but this is the Lakers. They have certainly overcome longer odds.
The Los Angeles Lakers should be willing to sacrifice Austin Reaves if it means landing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not often does a team get a shot to trade for a top-five player in the world. The Lakers just landed the plane with Luka Doncic and could do so again with the Greek Freak. Even if it costs AR, Rob Pelinka should make it happen. Giannis is just too good to pass up.