Lakers Won't Pursue $175 Million Star to Play With Luka Doncic, LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of roster work to do and several major moves to consider in the coming weeks, but a blockbuster trade to add a third superstar isn't going to be one of them. 

Athlon Sports' NBA insider Mark Medina wrote on Friday, June 27, that LeBron James will opt out of his current contract and sign a new one-and-one agreement to return to L.A. in 2025-26 for his age-41 campaign on a deal that gives him optionality for the following season. 

The Lakers will also negotiate a potential three- or four-year contract extension with Luka Doncic in early August. Finally, the franchise must decide soon whether to compete with other teams in free agency for Austin Reaves next summer or attempt to trade him in the coming months after the fourth-year guard turned down an $89 million maximum extension with Los Angeles earlier this week. 

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Priority one in Southern California this summer is to find Doncic a viable two-way center, though that rim-protecting, rim-running big man isn't going to be Milwaukee Bucks two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo -- at least not according to Medina, who expects the megastar will ultimately be on the move at some point this year. 

"Both [the Bucks and Antetokounmpo] will soon conclude, however, this isn’t sustainable," Medina wrote. "So where will the Bucks trade Antetokounmpo? ... The Lakers don’t have the interest or assets to acquire a third star."

Medina went on to note that three teams will likely be required to facilitate a trade for Antetokounmpo, who is currently playing on a three-year contract worth a total of $175 million. 

The Houston Rockets are out after acquiring Kevin Durant via a trade with the Phoenix Suns, which leaves the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder as the best-positioned teams to make an offer.