LAKERS NOT FAVORITES: WHY GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO TRADE IS UNLIKELY
Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo would have to severely damage his reputation to force a low-offer trade to the Lakers, making the deal improbable for now.
After the Lakers beat the Bucks, Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo shared a hug.
Dan Woike from The Athletic suggests that if the Los Angeles Lakers somehow landed Giannis Antetokounmpo, it would be like hitting the jackpot—similar to how Luka Dončić surprisingly ended up with them.
Woike mentioned on the Lakers Lounge podcast that the Lakers aren't in a great position to make a strong offer if Antetokounmpo asks for a trade from Milwaukee.
Woike said that the Lakers' potential trade offers aren't that appealing. For Antetokounmpo to push for a move to the Lakers, he'd pretty much have to ruin his reputation, which doesn't seem likely. He's generally well-liked, similar to how Anthony Davis was seen. It would have to get really bad for Milwaukee to accept a low offer.
Why the Lakers' Best Giannis Trade Offer Isn't Good Enough
Woike explained that the Lakers could offer three future first-round picks and some cap space next summer, but he doesn't think it's enough.
Woike stated that the Lakers' offer next summer consists of three first-round picks and cap space, but that it simply isn't good enough.
Because of the current CBA rules, Los Angeles can only trade one first-round pick at the trade deadline and a maximum of three in the offseason. Woike noted that even with the maximum offer, executives he spoke with don't believe it would be enough for Milwaukee to give up its key player.
Woike thinks the only way it could happen is in an unexpected manner, like when they acquired Luka Dončić.
LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and the Salary Matching Issue
Woike pointed out that while the Lakers have LeBron James, they need to balance their plans with their current team:
Woike said that they need to consider what they have right now.
The trade value of Austin Reaves, the Lakers’ most appealing trade asset, further complicates things. Although Reaves is playing at an All-Star level, his $13.9 million contract is much smaller than Antetokounmpo’s $54.1 million salary, creating a challenge for a trade.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha agreed that even if Reaves were earning a max salary, he might not be the kind of player Milwaukee would want for their rebuild.
Buha said that if you're in Milwaukee, Austin is more of a player to help win now. They would want a very talented young player plus several picks, something the Lakers can't currently offer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future Causes Excitement Across the NBA
The talks about Antetokounmpo’s future sped up after Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Antetokounmpo and his agent, Alex Saratsis, started talking with the Bucks about the team's direction due to their slow start.
Charania posted that a decision is expected soon, which started even more Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumours.
Teams are expected to line up as soon as the two-time MVP says he wants to leave, but multiple insiders say the Lakers aren't the favourites.
In short: The Lakers can hope, but they aren't leading the way.
Los Angeles will keep an eye on the situation and be ready if they gets a surprising call.
However, right now, insiders agree that a big trade sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Lakers is unlikely. Unless the superstar makes it clear he wants to go to Los Angeles, the Lakers might not have enough to offer and could miss out on a rare opportunity.
DODGERS STAND FIRM ON ROKI SASAKI STARTING ROLE DESPITE BRUTAL SPRING TRAINING
Roki Sasaki faces a 2.70 WHIP crisis, but the Dodgers believe his velocity and new cutter will secure his rotation spot.
Roki Sasaki hasn’t had the smoothest spring training for the Dodgers. He’s started three games, and his stats look rough: a 13.50 ERA, a 2.70 WHIP, and just 10 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. Yeah, that’s not what you want to see heading toward Opening Day.
Last year, Sasaki struggled as a starter until an injury sidelined him. The Dodgers shifted him to the bullpen, and he actually turned things around. He played a huge part in their 2025 World Series run, so you know the talent’s there.
Even with the shaky preseason, the Dodgers and Sasaki both still see him as a starter. It’s been bumpier than anyone hoped, but it’s only spring training, so there’s time for him to settle in once the real games begin.
Fabian Ardaya from The Athletic didn’t sugarcoat the situation when he weighed in. He pointed out that the Dodgers have to think about what would happen if Sasaki melts down in a regular-season game, especially early on. That kind of disaster inning could put the bullpen in a tough spot for days. But Ardaya also reminded everyone that the Dodgers can handle some struggles, especially during April and May. They survived a similar situation last year, and they still believe that Sasaki will develop best by pitching in big league games, even if it means taking a few lumps.
It’s a luxury for the Dodgers, but Ardaya said the team needs to keep an eye on not just Sasaki’s performance but also how much patience they have for him if he keeps faltering.
So, what about moving Sasaki back to the bullpen? Ardaya addressed that too. He said the Dodgers wouldn’t make that switch right away, not unless things really go off the rails as a starter or some other circumstances force their hand later in the season. But even as a reliever, Sasaki needs to get his fastball command under control. Without that, he’s just not going to be effective, whether he’s pitching one inning or six.
The bottom line: The Dodgers are sticking with Sasaki as a starter. GM Brandon Gomes made that clear back in January. He said Sasaki looks strong, his velocity is solid, and he’s getting better with his cutter and two-seam. Gomes believes that once Sasaki fully develops his arsenal, he’ll be tough for hitters, especially as he works through the lineup a third time.
So despite the rocky start and doubts, the Dodgers want Sasaki to be a starting pitcher. Now it’s up to him to prove he can handle it.
LUKA DONčIć FILES TO DISMISS CALIFORNIA CHILD SUPPORT REQUEST FROM ANAMARIA GOLTES
Luka Dončić asks a California court to dismiss Anamaria Goltes’ request for child support, citing Slovenia jurisdiction.
Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers star, isn’t letting a custody dispute with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, go unchecked. He just asked a California court to toss out her request for child support and attorney’s fees. Here’s his argument: neither he nor his kids live in California, so the case doesn’t belong there.
TMZ Sports reported that Dončić filed documents Friday in Los Angeles County. His legal team, led by Laura Wasser, pointed out that Gabriela, age two, and Olivia, just four months old, live with Goltes in Slovenia. Dončić says he doesn’t live in California either, and he already started legal proceedings for custody and child support back in Slovenia earlier this year.
Dončić is calling Goltes’ move a classic case of “forum shopping” basically, picking California because its child support laws might be more generous. He claims she’s only after a bigger payout and says her filing is “procedurally defective and legally improper".
Dončić also insists he’s been doing his part as a dad, covering all expenses for his daughters, according to both ESPN and his own court filings. He’s not exactly strapped for cash either; he’s in the middle of a three-year, $165 million contract. And he’s made it clear, “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness. I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”
Behind the scenes, things have been messy. He wanted Goltes and the girls to move to the U.S. for the NBA season, but she said no and went back to Slovenia in May. That distance, he admitted, helped bring their engagement to an end.
Still, Dončić’s volley of personal turmoil hasn’t slowed him on the basketball court. He’s been delivering MVP-level performances for the Lakers, finding peace in basketball during a rough time. “That’s life; I don’t know what to say,” he said last week. “Basketball is giving me some kind of peace when I play a game.”
His stats are as dominant as ever: over his last five games, he’s averaged 43.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, including a jaw-dropping 60-point game against the Miami Heat. He finished that game shooting 18 for 30, knocking down nine threes, and snagging five steals – a stat line almost unheard of in the NBA.
Dončić and Goltes go way back. They’ve been together since 2016, growing up together in Slovenia. He proposed in 2023, just before Gabriela arrived, and Olivia was born in December 2025, both in Slovenia. Their relationship hit a bump this season when Dončić travelled overseas for Olivia’s birth, missing games against the Raptors and Celtics. ESPN says there was some disagreement over travel plans for their older daughter, but authorities cleared things, and Dončić left without incident.
Goltes’ petition in California made the dispute public this month, and Dončić responded with his own legal action. He reportedly learned about her filing through media reports, adding another bit of drama. Even with all these challenges, Dončić has kept his focus on basketball, leading the Lakers as they climb the Western Conference standings.
Navigating a tough chapter as a father while dominating professionally, Dončić is managing both worlds at once: the legal fight off the court and his relentless drive on it.
