The Los Angeles Lakers or Dallas Mavericks could make their biggest moves of the NBA offseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers made their first move to prepare for the future of Post-LeBron James this season by running a massive trade with Luka Donsic.
James appears likely to retire alongside the Lakers, although it’s not at least another season. The Lakers are expected to make some moves this summer to build around Don Sic, not James, rather than linking themselves to the trio of Don Sic, James and Austin Reeves.
On the other side of Doncic Trade, Dallas Mavericks opened the title window.
Anthony Davis is still a superstar and Klay Thompson is a solid role player (as well as Daniel Gafford, Derek Lively III, PJ Washington and Naji Marshall).
On top of that, the Mavericks shockingly win the lottery, knocking out a draft of his own winner, Cooper Flag Draft, or an established superstar pick like Giannis Antetocomo.
The top pick is a great asset to land Greek freaks, so the Lakers may have to have a tough conversation if they want to surpass Dallas.
Alongside Don Sic and James this season, Austin Reeves have emerged as a legitimate NBA star, but the Lakers still have clear weaknesses.
Los Angeles needs rebound and interior defence, and is delighted with a star suitable for Don Sic’s timeline. The Lakers made the Reaves available, embarrassing the Dallas Mavericks and allowing them to take a massive distance.
Mavs failed to get Reaves in Doncic’s trade and there is little reason to believe they even tried.
“When Reaves traded this summer and he traded, what came back for him would make it even worse that (Dallas) didn’t take him to the deal,” predicted Bill Simmons.
Who will the Lakers be swapped for? Established centers like Daniel Gafford, Nick Claxton and Christaps Porzingi have a way for them to land Antetocompo, but it makes most sense.
“A lot of people will wonder about the Lakers, can the Lakers make an offer? Yes,” said Brian Windhorst of ESPN. get up.
“Giannis comes in and says, ‘Would I go anywhere except the Lakers?’ Yes, it increases it.
It’s unlikely, but the Lakers could shock the world for the second time in 2025.
With Dallas giving the Lakers to Donsic only one draft pick, the Lakers could theoretically trade three picks and give up the pick in the trade.
It would ruin one of their future flexibility, but for the duo of Giannis and Donsic, the “future” wouldn’t be bothered.
Teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Brooklynnet can offer more in both talent and draft picks, but it’s possible that the Bucks will do right with the star and try to send him to a landing spot that likes.
Mock Trading Details
- Lakers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Bucks Received: Austin Reeves, Louis Hachimura, Sheikh Milton, Dorian Finney Smith, Dalton Knecht, 2026, 2028, 2030 First Round Pick Swap, 2031 First Round Pick, 2025 Second Round Pick
The deal will be a breach for the Bucks, but retrieving young players with Reaves and Knecht, unprotected draft picks and additional assets are better returns than Mavericks got to Doncic in February.
However, if you’re lucky enough with the lottery, the Mavericks (along with the Spurs and Rocket) can suddenly offer a package that’s suitable for MVP finalists.
The deal that sent Greek freaks to the Mavericks just a few days ago would be hilarious, but with the draft Cooper Flag on the table, it’s not hard to imagine all of a sudden.
Flag is expected to rival Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and Victor Wenbanyama as transformative young players, and if Maverick is willing to let go of all that possibility, the Bucks won’t ask for any further reward.
The only difficult part is to balance your salary.
Mock Trading Details
- Mavericks Received: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Bucks Received: Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gaford, 2025 First Round Pick (#1)
While losing wizard point guard Irving, the Bucks showed that Antetocomo could run the floor as he averaged 10.4 assists in the last eight games. In attack, the Mavs can surround Davis and Antetokounmpo by as many shooters as possible, including Thompson, Max Christie, and PJ Washington, and in defense it is almost impossible to score.
Meanwhile, the Bucks could suffer the season with two injured point guards sucking up all their pay, but they have a new franchise player running in the 2026 offseason.
Mavs and Lakers certainly can make an offer, but we hope that other teams will be involved in the Giannis trade consultation.