NBA Rumors: Lakers Bring Back Kostas Antetokounmpo With Different Intent In Mind

KEY POINTS

The Lakers may have other things in mind behind Kostas Antetokounmpo's signing
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains on the Lakers' radar
Bucks have yet to lock up Giannis on a long-term deal

Though he did not see much action last season, the Los Angeles Lakers have brought back Kostas Antetokounmpo to the fold for the 2020-21 NBA season.

It will be a two-way contract, the same deal that he had last year with the purple and gold.

The signing was announced by the Lakers on Thanksgiving, NBA.com reported. He only suited up in five games for the Lakers last season, averaging 1.4 points in four minutes of play.

Kostas had more playing time when he wore the South Bay Lakers jersey last season. He averaged 14.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 25.4 minutes of action.

He notched 10 double-doubles in that stint and tallied double figures 33 times. In eight of those outings, he was able to score more than 20 points.

With an NBA ring already credited to him, the younger Antetokounmpo could end up bagging a second one if the Lakers would be able to pull off a back-to-back feat.

If that happens, it would not come as a surprise if Giannis Antetokounmpo ends up trolling his younger brother anew.

Giannis trolled Kostas on social media back in October when his sibling appeared to be recreating one of the familiar scenes from the movie “Titanic.”

Champ champ is feeling himself ___ pic.twitter.com/ZzsJErpuwo
— Giannis Ugo Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) October 29, 2020

But beyond that, having Kostas back could be a seed planted by the Lakers for something big. Giannis has yet to sign a supermax deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, and it could happen on the Dec. 21 deadline, Marc Stein of the New York Times tweeted.

It remains to be seen if Antetokounmpo can finally put a lid on the matter by then.

The last two weeks have been filled with chatter that Giannis Antetokounmpo indeed plans to sign his five-year supermax with the Bucks before the Dec. 21 deadline to do so ...

The Bucks just made a trade that suggests they must believe it
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 17, 2020

If no signing happens, the Lakers could possibly be using Kostas as bait to lure Giannis to join the Lakers. Hence, it could make sense why Anthony Davis has yet to re-sign a max contract of his own.

In a previous post, it was mentioned how the delay in Davis’ new deal could be part of an even bigger plan for the Lakers.

It could be the numbers game right now with Davis thinking long-term. He could sign a deal where he could opt out again next season alongside LeBron James.

This scenario would give the Lakers flexibility in adding a third star, possibly Giannis Antetokounmpo if the Bucks fail to secure that supermax deal soon.

Then again, recalling Kostas could be because the Lakers see potential in him. But the question now is, will he get more playing time this 2020-21 season?