The Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes may have only just begun, but oddsmakers already see a clear landscape forming — and the Los Angeles Lakers are nowhere near the front of the line.
As speculation intensifies that Antetokounmpo could follow the modern superstar trend of switching teams before the end of his Hall of Fame career, BetOnline.ag released its early odds on potential destinations should the two-time MVP become available. The numbers paint a picture of a league preparing for a blockbuster, with several franchises emerging as realistic contenders — but the Lakers sitting firmly among the long shots.
The San Antonio Spurs opened as the favorites at 3/2 (+150), a reflection of their assets, cap flexibility and the enticing prospect of pairing Antetokounmpo with Victor Wembanyama. The New York Knicks, long rumored to be Antetokounmpo’s preferred landing spot, are close behind at 2/1, positioning themselves as a major player if Milwaukee eventually explores trade avenues.
Behind those two, the Atlanta Hawks (6/1), Miami Heat (7/1) and Houston Rockets (8/1) round out the next tier of contenders, with the Toronto Raptors at 10/1 hoping to recapture the kind of franchise-altering magic that delivered them Kawhi Leonard in 2018.
The Lakers, however, are near the bottom of the board at 35/1, tied with the Orlando Magic and ahead of only a cluster of teams listed between 40/1 and 100/1. Despite their history of attracting superstars and their constant presence in leaguewide trade chatter, the odds reflect both their limited draft capital and the uncertainty surrounding their long-term roster construction.
The list underscores a broader reality of today’s NBA: unlike the rare icons who stayed with one franchise — Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and likely Stephen Curry — most superstars eventually land elsewhere. Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and many more have changed teams before their careers ended.
If Antetokounmpo ultimately joins that group, he is expected to follow the current trend of stars influencing their next landing spot. Even with the Knicks reportedly high on his list, the early odds suggest several franchises could make compelling bids — and that the Lakers, for now, are viewed as distant outsiders.
BetOnline.ag’s full odds board includes 30 teams, with the Spurs leading the field and the Wizards, Jazz, Pelicans, Pacers, Nets, Hornets and Clippers tied at the bottom at 100/1.
For now, the speculation continues — but the early betting markets are clear: a purple-and-gold future for Giannis is possible, but unlikely.