The Los Angeles Lakers’ dreams of trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo are likely dead after The Greek Freak recently spoke about how he wants to spend his entire career with the Milwaukee Bucks. It doesn’t sound like Antetokounmpo wants to go anywhere anytime soon.
When a fan shouted at him, “All in Milwaukee,” referencing his desire to play in the NBA for a long time, he smiled back and repeated the sentiment: “All in Milwaukee, baby.” Obviously, anything can happen, but it sounds like Antetokounmpo wants to be a Buck for life, which would mean the Lakers’ dreams have been crushed.
But who knows?
Why will Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay with the Bucks?
The Bucks’ roster looks rough heading into next season. They just waived and stretched Damian Lillard’s contract, replacing him with Myles Turner. And while Turner definitely fits well next to Antetokounmpo, the decision left Milwaukee point guard-less.
Cole Anthony and Kevin Porter Jr. are now slated to run the team’s offense with Antetokounmpo at the helm, and that doesn’t sound like a recipe for success, even in a weakened Eastern Conference.
Even with decent role players like Kyle Kuzma and Gary Trent Jr., the Bucks don’t seem to have nearly enough to compete for a championship next season.
But maybe that’s not everything to Antetokounmpo. Obviously, he wants to win another title. He wants to win multiple. But he’s been in Milwaukee ever since he moved to the United States. He won a championship with them in 2021. He’s ingrained himself in the community. Basketball is important, but Milwaukee is more than basketball to Antetokounmpo. It’s home.
Again, anything can change with time. If the Bucks continue to fail Antetokounmpo in terms of putting a competitive roster around him, then perhaps his mindset will shift.
But for the time being, Antetokounmpo has made it clear that he wants to be a Buck. He wants to help them win more titles.
For the Lakers, that means they probably won’t have a pathway to land Antetokounmpo. If he doesn’t specifically request a trade, the Bucks aren’t going to trade him. They love Antetokounmpo as much (if not more) than he loves them.
Even if Antetokounmpo were to request a trade, the Lakers would have to put together an insane offer to get him, and it doesn’t sound like that request is coming anytime soon.
Any dreams of a Luka Doncic-Antetokounmpo pick-and-roll should be put to rest for now (and maybe for good).
