‘Get Back Right Lakers Need You’: Dwight Howard Pushes For Injured Giannis Antetokounmpo To Leave The Bucks

Trade rumors have been swirling around Giannis Antetokounmpo for several months now. Although things looked settled at the start of the 2025-26 season when he committed to the Bucks, there are murmurs again. This time, the situation is created by Giannis himself.

Antetokounmpo has had a huge impact on the Bucks, turning the small-market franchise into one of the best in the NBA. But the team has been severely depleted of talent in recent seasons. And Giannis, now in his 30s, is slowly but surely losing his window to compete for another championship.

Recently, Giannis deleted all his X posts that were related to the Bucks. His last post now on X is a birthday tribute to Kobe Bryant. Rumors about a trade to the Lakers have crept in as a result. And Dwight Howard, following Giannis’ injury while playing against the Pistons on Wednesday, prayed he got better… Not for Milwaukee’s sake but for the Lakers.

Reacting to the Bucks forward’s calf strain, Howard wrote, “Aye Giannis, don’t go trying to play on that calf strain, just take your time and get back right. Lake Show need you.” 

There was no subtlety here from Howard, who played for the Lakers and won his only NBA championship there. He openly added fuel to the fire by linking Giannis to the purple and gold.

Howard also wrote about the prospect of Giannis joining the Lakers and forming an unstoppable trio with two more GOATs — Luka Doncic and LeBron James. Together, if they’re all at their best, the Lakers would likely be unstoppable. Throw an on-fire Austin Reaves into the mix, and we could very well be seeing a kryptonite to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominance.

Well, Lakers fans shouldn’t count their chickens before they’ve hatched, of course. Firstly, they’re already playing well without the addition of a two-time former MVP. Secondly, a Giannis trade won’t be easy, and they may be forced to part ways with assets they otherwise wouldn’t want to let go of.

Also, other big-market sides like the Knicks, Heat, Rockets, Warriors, and Clippers could also sniff around the possibility of adding Giannis to their roster to make a jump.