Giannis Antetokounmpo, Timberwolves
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Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks defends against Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As the NBA trade deadline approaches Thursday, the Minnesota Timberwolves have taken one of the league’s most aggressive stances, making multiple core players available in an all-in attempt to acquire two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to multiple league insiders.
Timberwolves Make Core Players Available in Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Push
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Tuesday that Minnesota’s front office has fully committed to pursuing Antetokounmpo rather than pivoting to other available stars, even as the trade market rapidly shifted earlier this week.
“The Timberwolves … remained fully focused Tuesday on trying to construct a workable deal for Antetokounmpo,” Stein wrote, adding that Minnesota chose not to engage in talks for other high-profile names that briefly surfaced before being moved elsewhere.
That focus has come at a significant cost.
According to Stein, the Timberwolves have made Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert available in various constructions as they attempt to meet Milwaukee’s steep asking price.
Salary Dump Opens Door, But Draft Capital Remains Key Hurdle
Minnesota’s pursuit accelerated earlier this week when the team completed a three-team deal designed primarily to create financial flexibility.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Timberwolves traded Mike Conley Jr. in a deal with the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons, clearing significant salary and dropping Minnesota below the first luxury-tax apron.
ESPN salary cap analyst Bobby Marks reported the move reduced Minnesota’s projected tax bill from roughly $24 million to approximately $3.8 million.
More importantly, it restored the Timberwolves’ ability to aggregate contracts and take back more salary than they send out — a requirement for any Antetokounmpo trade.
Bucks Prioritize Jaden McDaniels, Picks in Giannis Talks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves
GettyGiannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves fall to the floor in the fourth quarter at Target Center.
Despite the expanded player pool, the Milwaukee Bucks remain focused on two central components of a potential Timberwolves offer: their elite defensive wing and draft compensation.
Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that Milwaukee has targeted McDaniels as a potential centerpiece, viewing the 25-year-old forward as a future All-Star caliber defender who could anchor the next iteration of the franchise.
However, Mannix added that the Bucks are also seeking multiple first-round picks — a challenge for Minnesota, whose draft inventory has been thinned by previous win-now moves.
“It’s why the Wolves have been canvassing the league in search of them,” Mannix wrote.
Nearly Entire Roster in Play as Wolves Go All-In
One league source told Sports Illustrated that Minnesota has made it clear that nearly the entire roster is available for the right return, with Anthony Edwards viewed as the lone untouchable.
That willingness underscores the urgency driving Minnesota’s approach. League executives believe the Timberwolves are attempting to strike now rather than risk entering a broader bidding war after the season, when additional teams may have more draft assets to deploy.
“Minnesota badly wants to get it done now,” one rival executive told Mannix. “They don’t want to get into a bidding war before the draft.”
Deadline Pressure Mounts as Timberwolves Chase Franchise-Altering Deal
By making Randle, DiVincenzo, McDaniels and Gobert available, the Timberwolves have sent a clear message: this is no longer a cautious exploration. It is a full-scale attempt to reshape the franchise around Edwards with one of the league’s most dominant stars.
Whether Minnesota can convert roster flexibility into the draft capital Milwaukee demands remains uncertain. But as the deadline nears, the Timberwolves have positioned themselves as one of the most aggressive teams in the market — willing to disrupt their core in pursuit of a championship-altering gamble.