The Lakers and Warriors are expected to be among the teams talking to the Bucks about a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade in the coming weeks, but neither Pacific team looks like the frontrunner to land the two-time MVP, according to reports from ESPN.
Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show this week (YouTube link), ESPN’s Shams Charania suggested that the Lakers aren’t expected to involve Austin Reaves (via potential sign-and-trade) in their offer for Antetokounmpo. Beyond Reaves, the team isn’t exactly loaded with attractive young talent, and the Stepien rule prevents Los Angeles from offering more than three first-round picks (2026, 2031, and 2033).
“The Lakers expressed interest in Giannis at the deadline,” Charania said. “Right now, what they’ll be able to offer is three first-round picks and cap space (to) essentially absorb Giannis’ contract.
“Now, if you’re the Bucks, are you just going to trade Giannis to the Lakers for cap space (and) three first-round picks? My sense is they’re going to get better in the marketplace than that. I think there’s a bigger appetite than that. And so, time will tell. We’ll know in the next six weeks.”
The Warriors pursued Antetokounmpo more seriously than the Lakers did at February’s deadline, but the Bucks turned them down at the time and Golden State isn’t really in position to significantly improve its offer this spring.
The Warriors could put together a package that includes up to four first-round picks (likely 2026, 2028, 2030 between 1-20, and either 2032 or 2033), plus guard Brandin Podziemski. Some combination of Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, and/or Draymond Green could also factor into Golden State’s offer, but Moody and Butler are recovering from major injuries and won’t be healthy to open the 2026/27 season, while Green has a decision to make on a player option.
“This is just my read on it,” ESPN’s Anthony Slater said during a radio appearance on 95.7 The Game (Twitter video link; hat tip to RealGM). “I think (the Warriors are) not first in line, not second or third in line, really, at this point as far as packages that appeal most to Milwaukee. We know by deadline time Miami’s (offer) was the one that the Bucks seemed to be contemplating.”
Although Slater believes the Warriors will “cautiously enter the waters” when it comes to big-game hunting for star-level veterans like Antetokounmpo this summer, he said he wouldn’t be surprised if they simply use the 11th overall pick to select a player in next month’s draft, pointing out that the team could probably find a prospect at that spot who could immediately contribute and still has long-term upside (Twitter video link).
Slater added that he also expects the Warriors to prioritize “mid-prime” players as they seek roster upgrades this offseason, observing that they lost one player who fit that bill when they sent Andrew Wiggins to Miami at the 2025 deadline.
“You don’t want to be loaded with 19-year-olds and 37-year-olds,” he said.
Giannis is not signing a extension unless its to a team he wants to be on. So why would any team trade a huge package for him just to see him leave next year as a free agent? he also made it clear he wants to be on a top team that will be in contention for a championship. So that rules out half of the bottom teams. The 2 teams liste din this article do not have the assets to get Giannis.
Agreed 100%.
We don’t even want Giannis for more than a year or two. He won’t be worth the money he wants in an extension.
So the Warriors package would be with that thought in mind.., Giannis for a year or two. Thus Milwaukee will not be interested in taking less than what other teams would offer.
Giannis to the Heat is my best guess. But it’ll be a 5 or 6 team deal with a ton of moving parts.
Hopefully the Warriors are involved and get their 28 year old to 32 year-old guy or 2. Fingers crossed.
The heat is one of the top 5 teams. Pistons might look at him and if Cavs fail in ECF they have the assets to get him. Knicks if they come up short could be a big factor. The dark horse is the Hornets with the talent and a up and coming team.
The whole Giannis to the Warriors thing never made any sense for the players or teams involved, yet certain commenters on here can’t seem to let it go.
“You don’t want to be loaded with 19-year-olds and 37-year-olds,” he said.
Really?
This is what the Warriors are thinking?
I can recall a commenter here on this website, saying this exact statement just a day or two ago. Very strange indeed.
You need a young player with star potential involved…that is not Podz or a Reaves. The 11th pick is not sweet enough from Warriors and Lakers have no picks of value as Luka makes them a playoff range team.
Heat don’t have much either.
Rockets have Amen that is probably the best that could be done. I don’t see Spurs getting in on Giannis they would need to include Harper it is a non negotiable as he is the better ceiling compared to Castle.
It’s definitely not Tyler herrro that’s for sure as he’s probably best as a 6th mqn and probably not ware either! But heat will be most desperate to give up whatever it takes short of bam
Any trade for Giannis will be similar to Kawhi Leonard’s trade to Toronto in 2018, Kawhi didn’t re-sign but gave Toronto a title. If that’s the case with Giannis, it might be worth trading for him. I was thinking teams like Minnesota, Detroit, Boston, or San Antonio should try to acquire Giannis at any cost.
GSW should just accept that the dynasty is over and be grateful. GSW won four titles. A franchise should be so lucky. If GSW makes the proposed trades, the franchise will regret it for many years to come.