Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards.
Getty
As the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talk heats up, Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards is opening up about the team's three-team trade.
On Thursday, February 5, when the clock strikes 3 p.m. ET, the NBA trade deadline will be here, and the dusk will settled on a bevy of high-profile trades that have been happening leading up to the deadline. One of the most hotly-pursued trade targets of this race is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
As for Thursday morning, Giannis is still with the Bucks, but teams are furiously moving to try to acquire the veteran basketball player. One of those teams working to secure a deal for Antetokounmpo is the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves have already been involved in a large trade deal this period. On Tuesday, February 3, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Chicago Bulls had acquired Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. and and Pistons guard Jaden Ivey. In exchange, the Detroit Pistons got Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric and a protected 2026 first-round swap from the Timberwolves.
That trade dead was significant, and even though the three-team deal didn’t seem like a flashy move for the Timberwolves, there are hopes that it will free up enough funding to make way for a Antetokounmpo trade. Now, Timberwolves shooting guard Anthony Edwards is breaking his silence about the three-team deal, amid the Antetokounmpo talk. After the team’s 128-126 win over the Toronto Raptures on Wednesday, February 4, Edwards was asked about the trade action.
Anthony Edwards Discusses Minnesota Timberwolves’ Trade Moves Amid Giannis Antetokounmpo Talk
Following the Timberwolves’ victory over the Raptures, reporters asked Edwards for his thoughts on the three-team trade, specifically, losing Conley. There’s a possibility the Timberwolves would bring Conley back, and Edwards made it clear that he’s all for that.
“Mike’s my guy,” Edwards told reporters after the game. “He’s like an OG to me. Always helped me when I was struggling on the court. Great conversation off the court, just a great dude overall. So, hopefully we can get him back.”
Edwards added, “I don’t really know how it go, but I keep hearing he can come back, so hopefully he will. And I hope you see this. We want you back, Mike. You know we miss him.”
Timberwolves Still Pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo
Right now, the Timberwolves seems more focused on acquiring Giannis than getting Conley back. During an appearance on EPSN late on Wednesday, February 4, Charania reported that it’s down the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves for Antetokounmpo.
“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 on ESPN. He added, “I’m told the focus of those conversations have been primarily on Miami and Minnesota.”
So, according research from Charania, it appears it’s down to the Heat and the Timberwolves. But, the Bucks may also decide to not do anything.
“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.”
Charania 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.”