The Los Angeles Lakers have long benefited from the rise of European talent in the NBA. One of the best examples is Pau Gasol, whose Hall of Fame career included helping Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers to three straight NBA Finals and two championships.

That tradition continued when the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic just before the 2025 NBA trade deadline. Now, just two months later, another blockbuster opportunity may be on the horizon.

The 2025 NBA Playoffs began on Saturday, April 19, with the Milwaukee Bucks visiting the Indiana Pacers. Indiana dominated Game 1, beating Milwaukee 117-98 in a game where two Bucks starters failed to score.

That performance was a reflection of the challenging spot Giannis Antetokounmpo finds himself in as he reaches age 30.

Giannis delivered a huge effort in Game 1, finishing with 36 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in 38 minutes. But with Damian Lillard sidelined and minimal help from his teammates, it was too much for him to overcome.

With Milwaukee edging closer to what could be a third first-round playoff exit since its 2021 title, speculation is mounting that Giannis might consider a trade request in just three more games.

If Milwaukee falls early again, the Lakers would be wise to make a serious push for Antetokounmpo.

Already among the game’s greats, Giannis boasts a championship, Finals MVP, two regular-season MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and six First Team All-NBA honors—likely to be seven by next season.

As he heads toward his 31st birthday during the 2025–26 campaign, it’s reasonable to ask how much longer he’ll tolerate Milwaukee’s shortcomings.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Antetokounmpo wants to stay in Milwaukee but will put winning above all else moving forward. That makes sense, as athletes often begin to decline physically in their early 30s.

Given that Giannis relies on elite athleticism and relentless energy, staying in a stagnant situation might not serve him well as he enters that next phase of his career.

With a potential third straight first-round exit looming, the Bucks’ future looks cloudy. Adding to the problem is Kyle Kuzma’s polarizing fit and two more years left on his contract worth $42.8 million, limiting financial flexibility.

And with questions about whether 34-year-old Damian Lillard can continue playing at an elite level, the Bucks would need a major summer overhaul to remain competitive.

If that doesn’t happen, Giannis might seek a new chapter while he’s still in his prime. In that case, the chance to join Luka Doncic in Los Angeles and create a European superstar duo would be tempting—and Austin Reaves might become a key piece in trade talks.

While there’s no guarantee the Lakers will land Giannis, Milwaukee may only be three losses away from facing that possibility head-on.