The Lakers, Pistons, and Nets could all become facilitators in a potential five-team Giannis Antetokounmpo-to-Miami trade, with Los Angeles reportedly interested in Kel’el Ware and Detroit eyeing Tyler Herro.
The Los Angeles Lakers may not be the main destination in the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, but they could still become an important part of the process.
MIN
28.9
PTS
27.6
FG%
63.4%
REB
9.8
AS
5.4
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, the Lakers, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets are among the teams that could help facilitate a potential Antetokounmpo trade to the Miami Heat.
Sidery noted that Detroit has interest in Tyler Herro, while the Lakers recently inquired about what it would take to acquire Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware.
Per the report, a possible Giannis-to-Miami deal could involve as many as five teams.
That is where the Lakers become interesting. Instead of chasing Antetokounmpo directly, Los Angeles could enter the trade as a team looking to solve its own roster needs while helping Miami and Milwaukee make the financial and asset structure work.
Lakers’ interest in Kel’el Ware
The Lakers’ reported interest in Ware makes sense from a roster-building perspective.
Los Angeles has been linked with the need for a more reliable interior presence, and Ware would give the Lakers a young, athletic frontcourt option with long-term upside. He would suit well next to Luka Doncic as a lob-catcher in pick and rolls.
If Miami needs to clear salary, move players, or redirect assets to satisfy Milwaukee, the Lakers could become one of the teams involved in the larger framework.
Lakers management can afford Ware’s $4.6 million and $7.1 million for the next two seasons.
Credit AP-Scanpix
Bucks asking price remains a major obstacle
Even with multiple teams potentially involved, the biggest issue remains Milwaukee’s valuation of Antetokounmpo.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Bucks have set what has been described as an “unrealistic” asking price for the two-time MVP.
Milwaukee reportedly wants a return so strong that it could leave the team acquiring Giannis without enough remaining talent to seriously compete for a championship.
That creates a difficult balance. Antetokounmpo is reportedly focused on Miami, but the Heat may need outside help to put together a package attractive enough to the Bucks.
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Five-team deal could open door for Lakers
A five-team structure could help solve some of those problems.
Miami could land Giannis, Milwaukee could receive a broader package of players and draft assets, Detroit could pursue Herro, and the Lakers could enter the deal as a facilitator for Ware or another frontcourt target.
For now, the Lakers are not positioned as the headline team in the Giannis sweepstakes.
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