Lakers could battle Celtics, Knicks for $175 million Bucks star officially on trade market, per report

“The Milwaukee Bucks are open for business on trade calls and offers for two-time MVP GiannisAntetokounmpo entering the NBA draft combine and over six weeks away from the draft,” Charania stated Monday.

“The NBA playoffs represent another landmark point for the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes,” Charania stated Monday.

“Sources said postseason teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers pursued Antetokounmpo at the February deadline, and their finishes to the campaign will play a major factor in their aggressiveness to trade for Antetokounmpo.”

Second-round playoff exits are unacceptable for the Lakers, making it safe to state that the franchise will keep Antetokounmpo on its radar.

Acquiring the 10-time All-Star before the trade deadline would have been the best-case scenario, as it would have provided the franchise will higher level of comfort will Doncic in and out of the Lakers’ lineup (Austin Reaves is a talented player, but he’s too shaky of a downhill playmaker and a defensive liability, making it challenging for Los Angeles to lean on him in their current playoff series).

However, landing him this summer would be far from a disappointing outcome for the championship-aspiring organization. Moving forward, the Lakers should be rooting for the Knicks to go the distance this postseason, as it would shrink their competition for Antetokounmpo’s awe-inspiring two-way services.

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