Any news on Giannis Antetokounmpo and his availability will certainly make headlines in Los Angeles. When that update is coming from Shams Charania, it really becomes time to pay close attention.
The NBA insider reported, "The two-time NBA MVP has not made any firm decisions on his Bucks future ... but for the first time in his career, Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere, league sources told ESPN."
Charania explained that teams are 'expected to ramp up due diligence' on the availability of the two-time MVP as the NBA's combine week approaches. Ultimately, the NBA's most reliable man for an inside scoop highlighted that this decision will come down to Giannis.
Charania wrote, "Any conversations surrounding the perennial All-NBA superstar and 2021 NBA champion start primarily with where he believes his long-term future lies, and whether there is a franchise outside of Milwaukee that is sensible for him."
With the latest intel reported by the ESPN insider, Rob Pelinka should put Jon Horst on speed dial this summer. The Los Angeles Lakers will need to be plugged into all the developments surrounding the former NBA Finals MVP.
Dream Giannis acquisition not out of the realm of possibility
The Lakers are not the most rich franchise when it comes to potential trade assets. However, the same could have been said of the situation before a blockbuster deal to acquire Luka Doncic.
Howard Beck highlighted on The Zach Lowe Show last week that one source suggested Antetokounmpo has already narrowed his list.
Beck said, "I poked around a little bit a few days ago and the initial thing I got from one person was just like some rumblings that it’s already just the big cities: One of the LA teams or one of the New York teams or maybe Miami, not a big market, but a glamour market, mid-size market."
If that is true, which remains a big if, one would imagine the Milwaukee Bucks owe it to Antetokounmpo to honor any list of preferred destinations that come across their table.
Even though this maneuver is seen as an incredible potential addition for the Lakers, it would not come without its complications. Los Angeles would quickly be financially locked into the majority of their salary cap being tied to Antetokounmpo, Doncic, and LeBron James.
That would assume James either picking up the player option on his deal or re-upping for a new contract this offseason. For those wondering, the hopes of the four-time NBA champion taking a pay cut have been shot down in previous reports.
Three-star builds have not delivered the same kind of results in recent times that they have in the past. In all fairness, this hypothetical trio would involve three superstars, which does take things a notch above its recent predecessors.
All things considered, with James nearing the end of his career, the Lakers would be wise not to miss an opportunity to land Doncic a running mate that extends past whatever LeBron has left in the tank. The prospects of pairing Doncic with Antetokounmpo are too good to ignore.
