They were expected to be two of the standout stars of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, but both were eliminated earlier than anticipated. The Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo could soon join forces if the good news received by LeBron James and Luka Doncic becomes a reality.

Since winning the 2021 NBA title, the Milwaukee Bucks have failed to build a true championship-contending team, even after acquiring Damian Lillard in the 2023–24 season. Now, Antetokounmpo’s patience may be running out.

For the third consecutive year, the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, and rumors about a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo exit quickly began to surface. This is where the good news comes in for LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and company.

The Los Angeles Lakers were also eliminated in the first round of the Playoffs, and less than 24 hours later, Rob Pelinka, the team’s general manager, made it clear that “this roster needs more size and needs a central presence.” Could Antetokounmpo be the target?

Giannis to the Lakers? LeBron and Doncic just got good news

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. (Photo: Getty Images)

Howard Beck, journalist for The Ringer, shared the good news with LeBron James and Luka Doncic that Giannis Antetokounmpo might be interested in playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. “I poked around a bit a few days ago, and the first thing I got from someone was that there are already some rumors that it’s just the big cities: one of the Los Angeles teams or one of the New York teams, or maybe Miami—not a big market necessarily, but a glamorous one, a mid-sized market. I think they included Chicago in there. I don’t remember if Houston came up. It should have. So, the first question is: where does Giannis want to go, and will they respect that?” said Beck.

The trade proposal to bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Los Angeles Lakers

Although Giannis Antetokounmpo is under contract with the Milwaukee Bucks through the 2027–28 season, if he exercises a player option for that final year, he was the centerpiece of a trade proposal suggested by Clutch Points to make his move to the Lakers a reality:

Milwaukee Bucks would receive: Jaxson Hayes, Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, Shake Milton, Austin Reaves, a 2026 first-round draft pick, and a 2025 second-round draft pick.

Los Angeles Lakers would receive: Gary Trent Jr. and Giannis Antetokounmpo.