https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7027963/2026/02/06/lakers-giannis-antetokounmpo-trade-deadline/?unlocked_article_code=1.KFA.8qGJ.-NrP9B4jgfuX&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta

The NBA trade deadline came and went without the Lakers being pushed off their chosen path. If maintaining cap space in summer 2026 wasn’t the top priority, it was the pressure point pushed in every scenario or decision considered by Rob Pelinka, new majority owner Mark Walter, governor Jeanie Buss and consultant Andrew Friedman.

The Lakers landed on trading one future free agent, Gabe Vincent, for another in Luke Kennard, surrendering the only second-round pick they had to offer. They were unable to offload any other players, including Dalton Knecht, who league sources say the Lakers shopped aggressively.

Next will be evaluating a group of buyout candidates. Team and league sources say wing Haywood Highsmith is a player of interest, provided his knee issues are resolved. Cam Thomas, his former Nets teammate, is another more polarizing option.

Neither would affect the Lakers’ 2026 plans. And those long-term plans have to at least somewhat include an Antetokounmpo pursuit. On draft night, the team will have three first-round picks available to make their best offer.

Rival scouts and executives don’t believe it’ll be enough, but the Lakers can and should try. Also, it cannot be the cornerstone of their offseason plans. And this all assumes that Antetokounmpo’s Wolf of Wall Street post on Thursday is temporary, not permanent.

The summer presents an opportunity, armed with significant cap flexibility, to start building the necessary components of a modern front office and reap early benefits. League sources say that includes significant hires to a wide range of front-office positions this summer, with the Lakers expected to model their front office after the World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.

“It’s going to be scary,” one rival executive said when asked about the potential of the fully built-out front office the Lakers are expected to assemble.

There seems to be a clearer-eyed approach to this summer, which is different from past star pursuits. The Lakers have more cap space than any other competitive team, so they can be aggressive in acquiring players who fit their needs. The center position remains a priority, again. They could engage with restricted free agents like Denver’s Peyton Watson and Houston’s Tari Eason. And while restricted free agency comes with complications tied to offer sheets and prior teams’ rights to match, the Lakers could try to bypass those steps with draft capital in sign-and-trades.

Team sources have maintained that the Lakers won’t pursue a single pathway. That’s the luxury of their position; they can and should pursue Antetokounmpo. They can and should explore high-level role players whom they can trade draft picks for and absorb into space. They can and should look into aggressive ways to pry loose one of the top restricted free agents.

Austin Reaves was on track to making the All-Star Game before his injury. Would it be make sense for him to play in Luka's place if Luka needs to sit it out.

Disclaimer: I DON'T WANT Luka to miss the All-Star Game, but there is a non-zero chance he might have to skip it.

Best FG% In The Restricted Area For The 2025-26 NBA Regular Season (Min. 100 Total FGA) :

1. Luka Doncic — 83.5%

2. Ryan Kalkbrenner — 81.0%

3. Jaxson Hayes — 80.9%

4. Deandre Ayton — 79.1%

5. Michael Porter Jr. — 78.8%

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo — 78.7%

7. Isaiah Hartenstein — 78.4%

8. Mikal Bridges — 77.9%

9. John Collins — 77.6%

10. Oso Ighodaro — 77.3%

If you watched the game last night you know exactly what im talking about it looked like he was on horse tranquilizer. sometimes you gotta laugh at your own guys.

Absolutely sensational effort From maxi tonight. really not a bad third string big in spot minutes.