Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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The Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves are emerging as favorite to land Giannis Antetokounmpo head of the NBA trade deadline.
On Thursday, February 5, at 3 p.m. ET, the NBA trade deadline will arrive, and one of the most significant questions remaining is if a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade will go through by deadline, moving him from the Milwaukee Bucks to a new team.
In an ESPN feature published last week, NBA insider Shams Charania initially reported that the teams actively working to trade for Antetokounmpo were the the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. Now, that’s changed.
During an appearance on EPSN on Wednesday, February 4, Charania reported that it’s down to two teams: the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves. On the network, Charania opened up about the trade and explained what he’s learned after talking to “several different sources around teams involved.” In the appearance, he also talked about the status of the Bucks being willing to part with Antetokounmpo and make such a big move before the trade deadline.
NBA Insider Sheds Light on Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Status
“Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear to those that need to know within the Bucks organization that he is ready for a new home, whether it’s now or in the offseason, and Milwaukee has remained engaged with interested teams,” Charania said.
Here’s the kicker. “I’m told the focus of those conversations have been primarily on Miami and Minnesota,” Charania added.
So, it appears it’s down to the Heat and the Timberwolves, according research from Charania, although e adds that the Bucks might not trade him at all.
“But listen, general manager Jon Horst and the Bucks ownership,” he said on the show, “they have to sift through the offers, and they have to land on the same page about whether they’re going to make a trade now or in the offseason. It remains to be seen.”
He added, “Even tonight, just moments ago, I talked to several different sources around teams involved, and there are certainly questions about whether Milwaukee is serious and genuine about pulling a move of this magnitude for this franchise at the deadline.”
Still More Teams in the Mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Elsewhere, Charania says that Antetokounmpo “has told the Bucks, communicated to the Bucks for a period of months now that he believes the time has come to part ways and that has essentially forced the Bucks to listen to teams, to engage with teams and remain in touch with teams here this week, on the eve of the NBA trade deadline, that includes Miami, Minnesota, Golden State.”
So, while the Heat and Timberwolves seem to be rising to the top, the Golden State Warriors are still in the mix, according to Charania. As for Antetokounmpo’s numbers, according to NBA research, in 30 games this season, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28 points, 10 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 29 minutes per game. He’s also making 64.7 percent of his field goals and 39.5 percent of his threes. With those numbers, it’s no wonder why teams want to snag him.
While the details of this possible trade are murky, at best, one thing is certain: By 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 5, we’ll know where Antetokounmpo’s home is for the near future.