After an early playoff exit, finding a third star to play alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James is likely one of the Los Angeles Lakers' top goals this summer. The brief postseason run proved the Lakers' superstar duo needs more than just Austin Reaves to bring a title back to L.A., leaving fans to speculate who the potential third star might be.
One name who's been thrown around as a potential Lakers offseason target is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time NBA MVP's outlook in Milwaukee is open in the air after the Bucks' own first-round exit, combined with the torn Achilles tendon that Damian Lillard just suffered.
With a love for star power, few people would be surprised if the Lakers are one of the first teams to call the Bucks if Antetokounmpo demands a trade. Unfortunately, one of L.A.'s former players is seemingly doing his best to prevent a summer blockbuster trade from happening.
Lakers News: Dwight Howard Tells Giannis Antetokounmpo Not to Demand a Trade from Bucks
Loyalty is something that Antetokounmpo's fans love about him, and no one can relate to that feeling more than fellow big man Dwight Howard. The former three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year spent the first eight seasons of his career playing with the Orlando Magic before joining the Lakers, meaning he can relate to the tough decision the "Greek Freak" is facing.
Having said that, Los Angeles' former center doesn't seem to be open to the idea of the Bucks star moving to the City of Angels (or anywhere else).
"Don’t leave, Giannis," Howard posted on social media Monday morning. "Coming from someone who been there."
Don’t leave Giannis coming from someone who been there
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) May 12, 2025
Howard's warning refers to the aftermath following a 2012 trade that saw the Magic trade him to the Lakers. The eight-time NBA All-Star center couldn't find a permanent home after the deal was finalized, spending the next 10 seasons with six different franchises — including a trio of stints with the Lakers.
With that in mind, as terrific as the all-time centers are, their situations aren't exactly the same.
For starters, Antetkounmpo has already won an NBA Championship, whereas Howard left Orlando with the intention of chasing a ring. His desperate pursuit of championship glory may have distracted him on the court, seeing as Howard's offensive production started falling off a cliff once he ditched the Magic.
Second, Antetokounmpo is still playing at a much higher offensive level than Howard was at the time of his respective trade. The Bucks superstar just averaged 30.4 points and an NBA-leading 11.8 field goals made with a 60.1 FG%. For comparison, Howard was averaging 20.6 PPG, 7.7 field goals, and a 57.3 FG% in his last season before the trade to L.A.
Different eras, yes, but it's clear that Antetokounmpo is in a better spot to join the Lakers than Howard was.
At the end of the day, a potential Lakers-Bucks swap will hinge on how badly Antetokounmpo wants to win a second NBA title. The Bucks aren't in a rush to trade him despite being unlikely to compete for a championship next season, meaning the 30-year-old's fate is completely in his own hands.
Landing a player of Antetokounmpo's caliber won't be easy, but history has shown general manager Rob Pelinka shouldn't be counted out. Nobody expected the Lakers to acquire Doncic, and now Pelinka has the perfect opportunity to facilitate an equally shocking blockbuster this summer.