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The Los Angeles Lakers’ offseason will undoubtedly be centered around LeBron James’ looming retirement/free agent decision.
James will have several options to consider, making it fair to assume all eyes will be on the 41-year-old star forward this summer. With the Lakers hoping to complete a blockbuster trade, Beacher Report’s Eric Pincus believes Los Angeles could sign James to a new deal before shipping him to the Milwaukee Bucks for a 6-foot-11 NBA champion and two-time MVP.
“Realistically, it's a long shot as the Lakers (assuming they're moving on from James) have goals in mind to bolster a Luka Doncic-led roster,” Pincus wrote last Wednesday. “James could be the primary outgoing salary for a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but James is unlikely to choose the Bucks as his next destination (especially with Antetokounmpo departing).”
“A third team could be the answer, the one James desires, but it's complicated enough that it's among the least likely options.”
As Pincus stated, acquiring Antetokounmpo in a deal centered around James is unlikely but not impossible. After all, the Lakers have pulled off surprising trades in the past, with their most recent unexpected deal occurring last February (the Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic).
Antetokounmpo wouldn’t elevate the Lakers’ perimeter shooting, but would provide the 17-time NBA champions with an unstoppable rim-running forward and defensive mastermind who’s already proven he can win a title as a primary playmaker.
The former first-round pick is averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 0.9 steals per game with the Bucks this season, shooting 64.5% from the field in 30 contests.
If the Lakers are unable to make James the featured asset in a deal for Antetokounmpo, they’ll likely find an alternative way to land the 10-time All-Star this summer.
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