Giannis, Lakers' 'Realistic Path' Explained by NBA Insider amid LeBron Buzz, Bucks Trade Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers could have a lane to eventually land Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but that would require playing the waiting game.

ESPN's Bobby Marks examined Antetokounmpo's market as the Bucks entertain offers. In his view, signing the two-time NBA MVP as a free agent is more plausible for L.A. than executing a trade this summer:

"One realistic path for Los Angeles seems to be waiting until the 2027 offseason. But that would require Antetokounmpo to play hardball with Milwaukee and interested teams, announcing he will not sign an extension and playing out the season on an expiring contract. The Lakers would then have the available cap space to sign him outright next summer."

Marks cited the lack of valuable trade assets at the Lakers' disposal as a clear hurdle to acquiring Giannis.

First-round picks and pick swaps from Los Angeles won't go as far compared to other suitors. Assuming Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić would be in purple and gold for the foreseeable future, the Lakers wouldn't be a lottery team when the picks and swaps convey.

Their young players (Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr., Bronny James and Adou Thiero) aren't good enough to be big building blocks for a rebuilding team, which Milwaukee will presumably be if it trades Giannis.

The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick reported on Tuesday that "running it back with a mostly similar roster isn't a palatable option" for the Lakers. General manager Rob Pelinka will look to make Dončić more of a focal point in terms of roster-building as well.

Because of that, re-signing LeBron James may not be a slam dunk. The 22-time All-Star could bristle at taking a pay cut or having to assume second banana status to Dončić.

Woike and Amick reported Los Angeles is "expected to explore Antetokounmpo trade scenarios," though they wrote Dončić "would strongly prefer a team construction" where Reaves is in the squad. That would present another challenge to Pelinka.

Given how tense things already are between Giannis and the Bucks, it's difficult to see how they can coexist for another season, and that's bad news for the Lakers right now.

Perhaps he'll get traded this summer but decline to sign an extension with a new team, thus paving the way for him to hit the open market next year.