Milwaukee Bucks All-NBA electricity ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo is no longer leaving The Badger State any time soon. At least, no longer if the Bucks have some thing to say about it.
But there are nonetheless numerous interesting gamers from your Los Angeles Lakers’ freshly-vanquished nemeses the crew can also favor to choose via at some point of this offseason, the subsequent duration when golf equipment can make trades. Let’s unpack the pinnacle three sensible gamers whom LA may want to acquire.
Keep in mind: these rankings are based totally now not on the players’ basic quality. Otherwise, No. 1 would be No. three We’re taking into account contract, age, and roster fit, too.
3. Brook Lopez
The North Hollywood native, who loved an underwhelming, quick stint with his fatherland Lakers once, emerged as one of the few starting-caliber 3-and-D cutting-edge massive guys in Milwaukee. He’d be a exquisite in shape for Los Angeles in a vacuum, though due to the fact he is a actual middle he’d pressure Anthony Davis lower back down to energy ahead — however his capacity to stretch the flooring may want to assist mitigate The Brow’s incapacity to do simply that. He’s additionally turning 36 subsequent month, and will be on an expiring $23 million contract subsequent season. He’d be a bit high-priced to acquire, too, as he is nevertheless acquired cost league-wide, and may want to value the Lakers a lightly-protected first spherical pick out as nicely as two strong veteran contracts. There’s no warranty he can continue to be healthy, or that his recreation will stay as right as it is been this year, as quickly as subsequent season.
2. Damian Lillard
33-year-old Lillard is nevertheless an All-Star talent, even in his relative NBA dotage at a role that can age like milk. He’s a horrible defender (if you hate observing D’Angelo Russell shield people, you will no longer revel in Dame Dolla’s efforts on that give up of the floor, either), and has no longer pretty been his regular scoring self this season, even whilst taking part in alongside the most gifted teammate he is ever had. He’s nevertheless owed $207.3 million on his present day deal, set to pay him via his age-36 season (he’ll make $58.6 million that year, 2026-27). Health problems should additionally compound his efficacy. That said, he is an unreal brain when he is on, a remarkable three-point shooter and passer who’s additionally tremendous at drawing contact, and would characterize a huge on-court improve from Russell overall. Making a deal for his offerings would price the Lakers a ton of draft fairness and quite a few high-quality veteran contracts (Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and possibly all three of their tradable options would likely be the opening bid Milwaukee would hear to, although they’d probable demand Reaves). It’s a risk, however for a 12 months or two, it ought to be a lot of fun.
1. Bobby Portis
Portis is the cleanest healthy as a change target. In the midst of a four-year, $48.6 million contract, the wild-eyed 6’10” massive man is sincerely a bit underpaid thinking about what he can grant a group offensively. Essentially, Portis would be a huge improve over the Christian Wood model: a stretch 4 or 5 who can gobble up rebounds at an thrilling clip who would not pass over video games and has none of the persona problems that appear to crop up with Wood everywhere. LA would not want to supply up a entire lot to add Portis, perhaps simply the Vanderbilt contract (his extension kicks in subsequent year) and a lottery-protected first spherical pick, and he would definitely assist add flesh out their offense.