NBA Trade Rumor: Los Angeles Lakers’ master plan could land $175.3 million Milwaukee Bucks star and pair him with Luka Doncic in 2027 | NBA News
The Los Angeles Lakers may have a long-term master plan in the works, with an eye on signing Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2027 to create an unstoppable duo alongside Luka Doncic. This bold strategy is gaining traction as the Lakers continue to build their roster around superstar talent and championship potential.
Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers have a dominant pairing in Luka Doncic and LeBron James, with LeBron still performing at an MVP level, despite being 40 years old. Luka, at just 25, is expected to shoulder a lot of the burden for LeBron moving forward, which could give the 40-year-old forward the luxury of playing for a few more seasons. This arrangement not only secures the Lakers’ future, but it opens up the possibility for the team to remain competitive even after LeBron’s eventual retirement.
When LeBron eventually steps away, the Los Angeles Lakers are setting themselves up to continue contending by bringing in another star player to complement Luka Doncic. That’s where Giannis Antetokounmpo enters the picture. The 32-year-old Milwaukee Bucks star has a player option for the 2027-28 season, and it’s possible that after a lengthy career in Milwaukee, he may seek a change of scenery if he feels his championship aspirations are better served elsewhere.
Giannis posing for the camera (Image via Getty)
“Giannis has been outspoken about wanting to see European stars playing in the biggest NBA markets,” says one expert, pointing out that the Los Angeles Lakers could be an ideal destination for the Greek Freak. His potential departure from the Bucks is especially likely if he fails to capture another title, even with the addition of Damian Lillard to the team. By 2027, Giannis Antetokounmpo may feel the time is right to move to a team with a better chance of securing a championship, such as the Lakers.
The thought of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic teaming up would be a nightmare for opposing teams. Defensively, Giannis would cover many of the areas where Luka is still developing. Offensively, they would form one of the most dynamic duos in NBA history, with Giannis serving as an elite pick-and-roll threat alongside Luka, who is considered by many to be the greatest pick-and-roll passer of all time.
Also read: NBA Trade Deadline News: Milwaukee Bucks land Kevin Porter Jr from Los Angeles Clippers in high-risk, high-reward move
A team built around Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a solid supporting cast of floor-spacing shooters and defenders, could very well be the best in the league, and it’s a strategy that Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka surely has on his radar as he looks to build a future dynasty.
