Memphis has the pieces to go after Antetokounmpo while still retaining its star players, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. It would cost a lot of players and picks, but the blockbuster deal makes the team a title contender, even in a crowded Western Conference.

Milwaukee signed Antetokounmpo to a three-year, $175 million extension in October 2023. Antetokounmpo, 30, will make $54.1 million next season. He doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract.

At the time, the Lakers had just suffered a disappointing first-round exit from the 2013 NBA playoffs, where the franchise would not return until 2020. By then, Howard had returne