Since the Minnesota Timberwolves entered into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes last week, I've been skeptical that they would be able to meet the Bucks' (understandably) high asking price. Recently, ESPN's Shams Charania provided an update on the race for Giannis.
"The Bucks are sifting through proposals specifically from the Heat, Wolves, Knicks, and Warriors," Shams said. "And throughout the whole process, the Bucks have wanted a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks. And so my understanding is the Warriors have made a pick-heavy offer. Minnesota is more of a player-centric offer, and Miami is somewhere in the middle, somewhere between players and picks. And so the Bucks are going to have to choose. Do we take one of these offers?"
The Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo landscape at the start of NBA Trade Deadline week for @SportsCenter: pic.twitter.com/PfrQq1qaVh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 2, 2026
We've known for some time now that these four teams have an interest in Giannis. Likewise, the Bucks' asking price of a young blue-chip talent and/or a surplus of draft picks isn't breaking news. However, it's worth comparing the Wolves' possible offer to that of other teams and exploring Minnesota's paths to trading for Giannis.
The Wolves' path to trading for Giannis is difficult
The closest thing the Wolves have to a blue-chip young talent is Jaden McDaniels. At 25, McDaniels is enjoying a career season and is a fantastic two-way wing. When I hear blue-chip young talent, I think of slightly younger players. Still, McDaniels has plenty of upside, and he might very well be the best young player the Bucks could get.
If the Wolves also include Randle -- they could essentially match salaries. From there, the Wolves could throw in up to seven second-round picks to "sweeten" the package. Keep in mind, Minnesota only has one 2028 first-round pick swap at its disposal, and since Milwaukee already traded its 2028 first-round pick, this is essentially irrelevant. This lack of draft picks is a clear problem for the Wolves, even despite their win-now talent.
Maybe the Bucks will opt for a win-now deal. But it's Giannis Antetokounmpo for crying out loud -- you're telling me that they won't get one first-round pick back? I could be wrong, but as of now, I don't believe it.
Another possibility is that the Wolves get a third or fourth team involved. While Shams didn't directly mention this, Brian Windhorst did, and connecting the dots, this is the Wolves' primary path to landing Giannis, especially if the Bucks are seeking first-round draft picks. The Portland Trail Blazers would be the logical third team since they own the majority of Milwaukee's future first-round picks.
As such, a deal sending McDaniels to Portland with Randle and picks going to Milwaukee is somewhat feasible. However, if I'm the Blazers I would hold onto those picks with dear life. Plus, the Blazers might be in the Giannis sweepstakes themselves, per Jake Fischer.
My larger point is that it will be really hard for the Wolves to make a Giannis trade even if they're in the mix. Now in the offseason, Minnesota will have access to two extra first-round picks. But do the Bucks really want to wait until the summer?
Other teams can trump the Wolves' best offer
The Warriors' package centered around their future picks (in a likely post-Stephen Curry era) could be enticing to Milwaukee. Player-wise, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Brandin Podziemski would be at the center. While that's not ideal, inclusion of significant draft capital could be intriguing enough.
To me, Miami has the cleanest path to pulling off a move. As Shams noted, the Heat are somewhere in the middle between players and picks. Or as I'd put it, this would be the best of both worlds for Milwaukee. A deal centered around Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Andrew Wiggins, and three first-round picks could be an ideal move for both sides.
Furthermore, what if a dark horse team makes an offer that could truly satisfy the Bucks' needs? I already mentioned the Blazers, but beyond them, I could see the Raptors, Hawks, and 76ers shaking things up.
The Wolves certainly seem like they are in the mix for Giannis -- but I still think it will be an uphill battle to pull off a move before Thursday.