Lakers predicted to part with Austin Reaves, pair Luka and Lebron with Bucks star

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 offseason could put the rest of the NBA on notice. 

By swapping Austin Reaves for a Milwaukee Bucks star forward this summer, the franchise could form one of the spookiest Big Threes in the league entering the 2025-26 season. 

"Given that Giannis (Antetokounmpo) is the current face of the franchise and an MVP-caliber superstar, the Bucks are going to get everything they can out of his exit,” Clutch Points’ Spencer Lee wrote Friday. 

“Should the Bucks push through with parting ways with the Greek Freak, it's a no-brainer that Milwaukee will be keen on getting some building blocks in return. And for the Purple and Gold, that could mean giving up key rotation players like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Jaxon Hayes.”

“Losing all of those players will certainly reduce the Lakers' depth big time. Reaves, Hachimura, DFS, and Hayes have proven that they're a great fit alongside the duo of (LeBron) James and Luka (Doncic).”

“Parting ways with any of these role players could be a huge risk to take. But at the same time, it's also pretty tempting to pursue another generational talent like Giannis.”

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Lee’s full trade proposal would send Reaves, Hachimura, Finney-Smith, Shake Milton, Hayes, a 2026 first-round draft pick, and a 2025 second-round draft pick to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo and Gary Trent Jr.

Although the Bucks will compete in the postseason this year, their ceiling is alarmingly low, as Damian Lillard is dealing with a blood clot toward the end of the regular season. 

Antetokounmpo will likely have to perform superhumanly to help the Bucks advance in the playoffs.

If Antetokounmpo, a 2021 NBA champion, experiences another underwhelming postseason from a team perspective, a groundbreaking summer trade could materialize. 

Pairing Doncic and James with an electric 30-year-old phenom who attracts multiple defenders on nearly every offensive possession would help the Lakers frighten the top dogs in the Western Conference. 

Reaves’ contributions will always be appreciated in Los Angeles. 

Still, it’s challenging to envision the Lakers declining an opportunity to land Antetokounmpo in a free agency deal centered around the trustworthy No. 3 scoring option.

More NBA: Lakers may land depressed $192 million 76ers star this summer via Austin Reaves swap