Milwaukee Bucks All-NBA power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is not leaving The Badger State any time soon. At least, not if the Bucks have anything to say about it.
But there are still several intriguing players from your Los Angeles Lakers’ freshly-vanquished nemeses the team may want to pick through during this offseason, the next period when clubs can make trades. Let’s unpack the top three realistic players whom LA could acquire.
Keep in mind: these rankings are based not on the players’ overall quality. Otherwise, No. 1 would be No. 3. We’re taking into account contract, age, and roster fit, too.
3. Brook Lopez
The North Hollywood native, who enjoyed an underwhelming, brief stint with his hometown Lakers once, emerged as one of the few starting-caliber 3-and-D modern big men in Milwaukee. He’d be a great fit for Los Angeles in a vacuum, although because he’s a true center he’d force Anthony Davis back down to power forward — but his ability to stretch the floor could help mitigate The Brow’s inability to do just that. He’s also turning 36 next month, and will be on an expiring $23 million contract next season. He’d be a bit expensive to acquire, too, as he’s still got value league-wide, and could cost the Lakers a lightly-protected first round pick as well as two solid veteran contracts. There’s no guarantee he can stay healthy, or that his game will remain as good as it’s been this year, as soon as next season.
2. Damian Lillard
33-year-old Lillard is still an All-Star talent, even in his relative NBA dotage at a position that can age like milk. He’s a terrible defender (if you hate watching D’Angelo Russell guard people, you will not enjoy Dame Dolla’s efforts on that end of the floor, either), and has not quite been his consistent scoring self this season, even while playing along the most talented teammate he’s ever had. He’s still owed $207.3 million on his current deal, set to pay him through his age-36 season (he’ll make $58.6 million that year, 2026-27). Health issues could also compound his efficacy. That said, he’s an unreal talent when he’s on, a great three-point shooter and passer who’s also terrific at drawing contact, and would represent a massive on-court upgrade from Russell overall. Making a deal for his services would cost the Lakers a ton of draft equity and several quality veteran contracts (Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and probably all three of their tradable picks would probably be the opening bid Milwaukee would listen to, though they’d likely demand Reaves). It’s a risk, but for a year or two, it could be a lot of fun.
1. Bobby Portis
Portis is the cleanest fit as a trade target. In the midst of a four-year, $48.6 million contract, the wild-eyed 6’10” big man is actually a bit underpaid considering what he can provide a team offensively. Essentially, Portis would be a massive upgrade over the Christian Wood model: a stretch four or five who can gobble up rebounds at an exciting clip who doesn’t miss games and has none of the personality issues that seem to crop up with Wood everywhere. LA wouldn’t need to give up a whole lot to add Portis, maybe just the Vanderbilt contract (his extension kicks in next year) and a lottery-protected first round pick, and he would really help add flesh out their offense.
