Why Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka could trade LeBron James for $186 million Milwaukee Bucks superstar

Raunak Bose / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 2, 2025, 06:48 IST

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The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly considering trading LeBron James to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo. This bold move aims to pair Luka Dončić with Giannis for long-term dominance, while the Bucks might acquire LeBron for marketing and future roster reset. Financial and contractual hurdles, including LeBron's player option, need to be addressed for the trade to materialize.

Why Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka could trade LeBron James for $186 million Milwaukee Bucks superstar

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has never been afraid of bold moves. After pulling off a blockbuster trade for Luka Dončić earlier this year, he might be eyeing another franchise-altering deal—one that could see LeBron James shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers Might Consider Trading LeBron James for Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Los Angeles Lakers' current season appears to be coming to a sad end as they face a first-round exit. While most people expect the squad to retool around Dončić and James, Rob Pelinka might decide to adopt a more aggressive approach.
- LeBron’s Age vs. Giannis’ Prime: At 40, LeBron is still elite, but Giannis is 30 and in his peak years.

- Long-Term Success: A Dončić-Antetokounmpo duo could dominate the league for years.
- Bucks’ Desperation: With Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury, Milwaukee’s championship window may have closed, pushing Giannis Antetokounmpo toward a trade request.
As Colin Keane of Sporting News noted in the original report: "Rob Pelinka could decide to ignore any loyalty to LeBron and trade the 40-year-old star to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, thereby creating a Luka-Giannis pairing that would be more potent than the current Luka-LeBron duo."

The Mechanics of a Potential Trade

LeBron James (Image Credit: Getty Images)

For this deal to happen, several financial and contractual hurdles must be cleared.

Key Factor	Details
LeBron’s Player Option	LeBron James holds a $52.6M option for 2025-26. If he opts in, he can veto any trade due to his no-trade clause.
New Contract Possibility	If LeBron signs a new deal without a no-trade clause, the Los Angeles Lakers could move him mid-season.
Salary Matching	A third team may be needed to balance salaries, as Giannis Antetokounmpo is owed $121.2M over the next two years.

Why the Bucks Might Entertain This Deal

While trading Giannis for an aging LeBron seems lopsided, Milwaukee’s situation is complicated.
- Giannis’ Trade Demand: If he requests a move, the Bucks lose leverage.
- Marketing Boost: LeBron’s star power keeps Milwaukee relevant during a rebuild.
- Future Planning: The Bucks may need to reset their roster for the 2030s.
Rob Pelinka has a history of making unexpected moves, and this one would be his biggest yet. While trading LeBron James seems unthinkable, pairing Dončić with Giannis Antetokounmpo could secure the Los Angeles Lakers’ future. Meanwhile, the Bucks might see value in acquiring a legend like LeBron James, even if only for a short-term boost.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers could reel in $48 million Milwaukee Bucks star to support LeBron James and Luka Doncic in title push
One thing is certain—if this trade happens, the NBA landscape will shift dramatically.

About the Author

Raunak Bose

As a passionate WWE content writer, Raunak craft engaging narratives that bring the thrilling world of wrestling to life, capturing the drama, excitement, and heroism of the ring. His work fuels the imagination of WWE fans, making every match and storyline unforgettable.

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