Rumors suggest that Giannis Antetokounmpo has requested a trade this season. This had the NBA world buzzing, as many analysts are now predicting where Antetokounmpo could play next.
One NBA insider from ESPN suggested that the Bucks should trade Antetokounmpo to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for one of their stars.
NBA Insider Suggests Bucks Should Pursue Lakers Star in a Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
NBA insider Ramona Shelburne suggested that if the Bucks were to pursue the Lakers as Antetokounmpo’s trade destination, they should ask for Austin Reaves in return. Reaves, who’s signed to a four-year deal worth $53.8 million, has proven to be one of the best guards in the league today.
Reaves is putting up an All-Star season this year, averaging 28.1 points, 6.6 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. He has efficiently supported Luka Dončić in carrying the Lakers to their success this season. The Lakers are currently one of the best teams in the Western Conference, sitting in second place with a 15-5 record.
While the ideal trade would be to send Antetokounmpo to the Lakers for Dončić, it seems unlikely that Los Angeles would agree to such a deal. Hence, Shelburne’s idea to pursue Reaves instead, especially now that he’s increased his trade value.
“If I’m Milwaukee, I’d demand (Austin Reaves). I wouldn’t do the trade without him,” Shelburne suggested. “That’s a tough one because that’s who they would ask for. Because you’re not going to get Luka, so you’ve got to get the next best guy, and that’s Austin.”
Shelburne then raised the possibility that Antetokounmpo could wait until free agency, when the Lakers would have enough cap space to accommodate him.
“But if (Giannis Antetokounmpo) can get to free agency, where the Lakers are going to have cap space in a year.”
How could the Lakers get Giannis? Ramona Shelburne says either wait until free agency when it might be too late … or include Austin Reaves in a trade 😵
“If I’m Milwaukee, I demand [Austin Reaves] … They’re not gonna get Luka so you gotta get the next best guy.”… pic.twitter.com/v1LbIZ33Ui
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) December 3, 2025
As of this season, Giannis is in the first year of his three-year, $175.3 million contract. By free agency next year, the Lakers would only have to worry about Antetokounmpo’s remaining $121.2 million.
Given how LeBron James is playing in the final year of his current contract, the “King” could opt to take a considerable pay cut to accommodate the “Greek Freak”, forming an unstoppable squad with Antetokounmpo, Dončić, James, and Reaves running Los Angeles.
