In a development that could reshape the NBA landscape, the Los Angeles Lakers are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. As the dust settles from the February 5, 2026, trade deadline—where no deal materialized for the two-time MVP—new reports indicate the Lakers are gearing up for an aggressive offseason push.
Leading up to the deadline, the Lakers were notably absent from the forefront of Antetokounmpo trade talks. Instead, teams like the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and New York Knicks emerged as the most active suitors, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Charania emphasized that the Bucks felt no urgency to move their franchise cornerstone, opting to extend discussions into the offseason if necessary.
That patient approach by Milwaukee has now opened a window for Los Angeles. According to Ashish Mathur of Lakers Daily, the Lakers are preparing to make a bold move for Antetokounmpo this summer, with mutual interest potentially fueling the fire.
“The Lakers will aggressively pursue a trade for Antetokounmpo this offseason, and sources told Lakers Daily that Antetokounmpo has ‘always wanted’ to play with and learn from LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer,” Mathur reported.
At the deadline, the Lakers’ options were constrained. With only one tradable first-round pick and a handful of expiring contracts lacking broad appeal, they made just a minor addition: acquiring sharpshooter Luke Kennard on an expiring deal. This conservative strategy was intentional, preserving financial flexibility for the summer ahead.
Projected to have over $55 million in cap space, the Lakers avoided multi-year commitments that could hinder their maneuverability. Come offseason, they can dangle up to three first-round picks in negotiations and absorb Antetokounmpo’s hefty $58.4 million salary without burdening Milwaukee with undesirable contracts in return.
However, this flexibility hinges on LeBron James’ decision. While Antetokounmpo’s reported desire to team up with James adds intrigue, the cap space materializes only if James departs—a scenario league insiders widely anticipate. Should Antetokounmpo join the Lakers, it might occur without James unless the 41-year-old icon accepts a substantial pay cut.
NBA insider Marc Stein has highlighted how this extended timeline could tilt in the Lakers’ favor. “No one is talking about the Lakers as a factor in The Giannis Sweepstakes right now because they’re not a factor if a trade is going to happen by week’s end,” Stein noted, via Silver Screen and Roll. “They don’t have enough tradeable assets to join the in-season bidders.”
“But if the Bucks do ultimately decide to take this saga into that spring …The Lakers, league sources say, would then indeed become a very viable threat to land No. 34.”
Stein further suggested the Lakers could leverage their cap space to target an “expensive star” like Antetokounmpo or another top-tier talent. Long-term plans reportedly focus on re-signing Austin Reaves—who becomes extension-eligible for a five-year, $241 million deal—and building around Anthony Davis. Notably, James wasn’t factored into this equation.
Reaves could serve as a key salary-matching piece in a potential Antetokounmpo trade, though it would require his buy-in. In an ideal world for Lakers fans, this could pave the way for a superstar trio: James, Davis, and Antetokounmpo, provided creative contract structuring.
While much of this remains speculative, the offseason promises high-stakes drama. With Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee uncertain amid the Bucks’ recent struggles, the Lakers’ strategic patience could pay off in a blockbuster way. Stay tuned as this story develops—Los Angeles might just be on the verge of a game-changing acquisition.