The Oklahoma City Thunder can officially punch their ticket to the conference finals by completing the sweep against the Lakers on Monday. Though Los Angeles wasn't supposed to beat OKC, the loss could still push the purple and gold closer to Giannis Antetokounmpo, as ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Monday that they inquired about the superstar before the deadline.
Charania listed the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Celtics, and Knicks as the other teams that reached out to the Bucks about Antetokounmpo, and that "their finishes to the campaign will play a major factor in their aggressiveness to trade for him." He also noted that rival executives believe that Giannis' "desired teams will be the largest factor in his trade destination."
Would Antetokounmpo be opposed to a trade to the Lakers? No one can say for certain, but you have to think that he would be open to the idea of playing alongside Luka Dončić. Why wouldn't he be?
Thunder ending Lakers' season could push LA closer to Giannis trade
This wasn't a championship-or-bust season in Los Angeles, as the front office chose to prioritize financial flexibility for this summer and the next. It was a nice surprise, at least from the Lakers' perspective, when the team got hot in March and went on a run. They looked like a team that could do something in the playoffs, but the Dončić and Austin Reaves injuries changed that.
Luckily, the Lakers drew the Rockets in the first round, beating them 4-2 to advance to the semifinals, where they have yet to get something going against the Thunder. Yes, it doesn't help that Dončić is still out and that Reaves is still working to get his feet back under him, but OKC would be the superior team either way.
The outcome of their season would've been the same, regardless of whether it ends tonight, or in Games 5-7 (and it shouldn't take more than five). Unless Los Angeles had gone on a miraculous championship run, the front office probably would've planned to check in again on Antetokounmpo.
The Lakers aren't among the top teams you think of when Giannis comes up, but they also have a history of landing stars against all odds (see January 2025).
It might not matter a whole lot to Rob Pelinka that LA "exceeded expectations" this season. The sour taste of a sweep could increase the Lakers' aggressiveness in pursuing Antetokounmpo. Or even losing in five.
After facing Oklahoma City, Los Angeles knows it still has a way to go to win a title with Dončić, and with Giannis reportedly hitting the market, the Lakers could go all-in on the 2021 champion for help.
In theory, that would boost their title hopes, but in the end, they'd still have to make it past the Thunder. Good luck with that.
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