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Why Lakersā dream trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo hinges on an Austin Reaves sacrifice
TL;DR
The Lakers are considering a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it may require sacrificing Austin Reaves. With three first-round picks and $51M in cap space, the Lakers have trade flexibility.
Key points
- Lakers are considering a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Austin Reaves may need to be sacrificed for the trade
- Lakers have three first-round picks available
- Projected cap space for Lakers is $51 million
- Reaves expected to earn $30-40 million per year in 2026
Los Angeles Lakers
Why Lakersā dream trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo hinges on an Austin Reaves sacrifice originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Lakers are weighing whether their available players and draft picks are enough to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. This pursuit faces serious challenges that could define the teamās future.The
Lakers are set to have significant trade flexibility, with three first-round picks available to trade, along with three pick swaps available in the 2026 offseason. They also have $51M in projected cap space. That gives them more flexibility than they had at the trade deadline, when reports suggested their package options were extremely limited.
Austin Reaves is one of the most valuable trade assets for the Los Angeles Lakers and the main piece in any deal for a star. After becoming a top starter, he is expected to earn much more money in the 2026 offseason. Reports say he will decline his player option to pursue a new contract worth between 30 and 40 million dollars per year.
Dalton Knecht has also developed into an essential piece for the team, often included in trade scenarios due to his scoring upside and solid rookie performance.
Q&A
What do the Lakers need to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The Lakers need to leverage their available players, draft picks, and potentially sacrifice Austin Reaves to make a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
How much cap space do the Lakers have for trades?
The Lakers have $51 million in projected cap space, which provides them with significant flexibility for potential trades.
What is Austin Reaves' expected contract value in 2026?
Austin Reaves is expected to decline his player option and pursue a new contract worth between $30 million and $40 million per year in 2026.
