Why Lakers’ dream trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo hinges on an Austin Reaves sacrifice
How Lakers could realistically trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, including draft picks, salary matching, Austin Reaves, and key trade assets.
Why Lakers’ 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 team’s 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. The financial side of an Antetokounmpo trade would be difficult for Los Angeles to solve.