Giannis Antetokounmpo is clearly unhappy in Milwaukee and is likely on his way out. Sure, Lakers fans would love to see him in Los Angeles, but that dream is unlikely. Other teams can offer far more in a trade, and many believe that his preferred destination is New York. But that doesn’t mean the Lakers still can’t benefit from this situation.
If the Bucks lose Giannis, they’ll most likely have to go into a full rebuild. But that means that plenty of good veteran players who could help improve a team with championship aspirations would suddenly become available. Here are three players the Lakers should target in a trade with Milwaukee.
Honorable Mention: Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma returning to the Lakers would be a full-circle NBA story that fans love, especially since he was a part of the 2020 title run. But it would still be the same imperfect fit it was four years ago. Kuzma plays the same position as LeBron. He might be a better perimeter defender than Rui Hachimura, but he’s a much worse shooter and overall offensive player. This would be a lateral move at best. The redundancy and the streaky shooting make this reunion more sentimental than strategic.
1. Myles Turner
If you could design a big for JJ Redick’s system, he’d look like Myles Turner. Turner gives the Lakers a clean pick-and-pop threat, vertical spacing, and the kind of weak-side shot blocking that makes a defense playable even when perimeter pressure breaks. He has exactly what you’d want in a modern-day big: shooting and rim protection.
He does have one major flaw: rebounding. But that’s something the Lakers have shown they can overcome with below-average center rebounding last season. They were able to make up for it with elite rebounders, like Luka and LeBron, in other positions.
If the Lakers make this trade, they’re betting big on Turner as their long-term starting center. He would be their replacement for DeAndre Ayton. Before pulling the trigger, Rob Pelinka would need to be absolutely sure this is the route they want to take.
2. Bobby Portis
If you’re looking for playoff toughness, energy, and instant offense, Bobby Portis checks every box. He can stretch the floor, punish switches in the post, hit the glass hard, and bring fire to the second unit. He also brings championship experience to the roster. Being a former Team USA teammate of Austin Reaves, he has some familiarity that will help with team chemistry.
But Portis is not much of a rim protector. He’s not a defensive anchor. But as a backup big, he’d be a major upgrade over any reserve big the Lakers have. If used correctly, Portis stabilizes the bench and gives the Lakers a real rotation piece.
3. Gary Harris
Gary Harris isn’t flashy, but he might be the cleanest fit of anyone on this list. He’s a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, doesn’t force bad shots, takes care of the ball, and holds up defensively on the perimeter. He’s exactly the kind of guard playoff teams trust.
He’d be an upgrade from Gabe Vincent. He doesn’t fix every problem, but he strengthens their guard rotation. For a reasonable trade price, Harris is the kind of dependable rotation guard who could win you playoff games.
The Bottom Line
None of these moves singlehandedly launches the Lakers into championship contention. But they’re the kind of smart, incremental upgrades that good front offices make while the big moves percolate in the background. Whether it’s a starting-center swing with Myles Turner, added bench force with Bobby Portis, or reliable backcourt stability from Gary Harris, these are pieces that help complete a roster — especially if the Bucks enter a rebuild and the Lakers are ready to pounce.
