While teams like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks have long been attached to theoretical trades for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a surprise team has emerged as a potential deal for the nine-time All-Star appears more tangible than ever.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report the Minnesota Timberwolves have entered the stage.
League sources tell Stein and Fischer that the 31-year-old Athens native is intrigued by the possibility of teaming up with Anthony Edwards. A deal could be easier said than done, though, as the T-Wolves have little draft capital to offer outside of a 2028 first-round pick swap. In the 2022 trade with the Utah Jazz that saw Rudy Gobert come to Minneapolis, the T-Wolves sent four first round-picks (2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029) along with a pick swap in this summer’s upcoming NBA Draft.
A potential deal with the Heat would be centred around Tyler Herro, who is from Greenfield, WI, which is a 15-minute drive from Milwaukee. Along with the 26-year-old Herro, the Heat could also offer 2024 15th overall pick Kel’el Walker and first-round picks in 2030 and 2032. Vaughan, Ont.’s Andrew Wiggins and the expiring contract of the suspended Terry Rozier, if the league permits it, are also potential trade pieces.
As for the Knicks, Fischer and Stein note that any deal would likely include Karl-Anthony Towns and one of Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby. Like the T-Wolves, the Knicks are limited when it comes to draft capital. A third team might be required in order to facilitate any move.
The Golden State Warriors, still reeling from the season-ending injury to Jimmy Butler, have long coveted Antetokounmpo and have all of their own first-rounds up to and including 2032. Just as the Heat can, the Warriors can offer a local player to the Bucks in Milwaukee’s own Brandon Podziemski. Wantaway forward Jonathan Kuminga would also likely be part of any trade.
With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching on Feb. 5, completing a potentially complicated deal will take work and there is also the possibility of the Bucks kicking the can down the road and revisiting an Antetokounmpo trade in the summer.
Antetokounmpo is currently playing on a three-year, $175.4 million deal. He is owed $58.45 million in 2026-2027 and has a $62.786 player option for 2027-2028.
Currently out of action with a calf injury, Antetokounmpo has appeared in 30 games this season, averaging 28.0 points on .645 shooting with 10.0 boards and 5.6 assists over 29.2 minutes a night.
The Bucks (18-27) are 12th in the Eastern Conference, four games behind the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in spot. The Bucks return to action later on Thursday with a visit to the Washington Wizards (11-34).