The Los Angeles Lakers made their boldest move in years by trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, hoping to build their next great team. After an impressive eight-game winning streak, where Doncic looked like the best player in the NBA, one thing is clear.
He may not be willing to stick around for an aging LeBron James, who no longer seems to be the team’s number-one star. Now, LeBron faces a potential two-week absence due to a groin injury, raising concerns about how frequently he’ll be sidelined moving forward.
At 40 years old, his durability is in question, and the Lakers’ future has never been more uncertain. Their only realistic chance of keeping Luka long-term is by winning a championship immediately—a daunting task given their glaring weaknesses, particularly at the center position.
Doncic’s arrival was meant to secure the Lakers’ next era, but if the team fails to prove they can build a true contender, he could leave after the season. With no contractual obligation to stay, the pressure is now on the front office to make another massive move—one that could bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to L.A. Giannis and other star players are likely to be moved next season.
Would the Milwaukee Bucks consider trading Giannis?
If the Lakers want to build their next great dynasty, pairing Doncic with Giannis would be the ultimate power move. This duo wouldn’t just be dominant—it would give the Lakers the best chance to convince Luka to commit long-term. Despite his strong start in L.A., Doncic was reportedly frustrated by the trade initially, and if the Lakers don’t deliver, his departure remains a real possibility.
The Bucks made a controversial decision to hire Doc Rivers after firing Adrian Griffin, a young and promising coach. Rumors suggest that Giannis was unhappy with Griffin, prompting the organization to bring in Rivers.
Additionally, the Bucks acquired Damian Lillard, a superstar meant to elevate their title chances. But what if it’s still not enough? History has shown that superstar players often get their way when they decide it’s time for a change.
From a basketball perspective, a Giannis-Doncic pairing would be a nightmare for the rest of the NBA. Doncic’s elite playmaking and scoring ability would perfectly complement Giannis’ dominance in transition and defensive versatility.
Together, they would be unstoppable in both half-court and fast-break situations. But if Giannis, despite his elite talent, fails to win another title in Milwaukee, he may start looking for a way out.
How could a trade between the Lakers and Bucks look like?
To acquire Giannis, the Lakers would need to part with young assets like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Maxi Kleber, along with multiple future draft picks. Additionally, LeBron James would likely have to retire or waive his no-trade clause—an unlikely scenario but not entirely out of the question.
If LeBron were to retire before his contract expired, the Lakers would free up significant cap space, making it easier to pursue another superstar. A trade of this magnitude would almost certainly require a third team to facilitate the deal and absorb additional contracts.
Similar to how the Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic trades were structured. Would it be costly? Absolutely. But history has shown that when the Lakers set their sights on a superstar, they don’t hesitate to make it happen.
The clock is ticking on Luka Doncic’s future
At the heart of this conversation is one key issue: Luka Doncic’s future. The Lakers didn’t trade for him to be a short-term rental; they made the move hoping he would become the face of the franchise. But Doncic isn’t just any star—he’s already playing at an MVP level and understands his value.
He won’t waste his prime on a team that isn’t built to win. If the Lakers don’t prove they can contend, he may decide to walk away sooner rather than later.
The NBA is evolving rapidly, and the recent AD-for-Luka trade proved that no player is untouchable. If Milwaukee falls short again this season, Giannis could be the next superstar on the move. For the Lakers, the window to act is shrinking—LeBron is aging, Doncic’s future is uncertain, and the league is in an arms race to form dominant superstar duos.
If L.A. wants to keep Luka for the long haul, they need to go all-in on Giannis.