Giannis Antetokounmpo, Julius Randle and Naz Reid, Timberwolves
Getty
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks passes the ball as he is pressured by Julius Randle and Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Minnesota Timberwolves made an aggressive, franchise-shaping push for Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the trade deadline — and came away empty-handed.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, that outcome reflected timing more than rejection, with the Milwaukee Bucks opting to study the market now and revisit the situation in the offseason.
“Sources close to me told me that he never requested a trade,” Haynes said on NBA on Prime. “Obviously, he’s been applying pressure over the last couple of years in hopes that the Bucks would turn this roster into a championship-contending roster. He wants to contend for a title during his prime.
“But right now, he’s happy. I was told he’s committed and focused on getting back healthy from that calf injury.”
Haynes added that Milwaukee’s approach at the deadline was exploratory rather than looking to close a deal.
“What ultimately stopped a move from happening right now was that the Bucks were essentially in an intel-gathering phase,” Haynes said. “They were trying to see what deals were out there, and they decided the offseason would be better suited to make a real play.”
Timberwolves Cleared Apron to Build a Giannis-Sized Framework
Minnesota did not merely monitor the market — it restructured its books to participate.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Timberwolves shed Mike Conley Jr.’s salary in a multi-team deal to slip below the first luxury-tax apron. That move restored Minnesota’s ability to aggregate contracts and absorb more incoming salary — a critical mechanism in any Giannis-level deal.
In practical terms, it allowed the Timberwolves to construct a compliant, star-sized package rather than being limited to one-for-one swaps.
Stein reported that Minnesota made multiple core veterans available in discussions, including Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
What the Timberwolves ultimately lacked, however, was the draft capital required to meaningfully elevate their offer.
Draft Capital Gap Ends Timberwolves’ Deadline Push
According to ESPN salary cap analyst Bobby Marks, Minnesota will have only one tradable first-round pick available in the offseason — a limitation that pales in comparison to what rival bidders could assemble.
That shortfall proved decisive.
If Minnesota decides to make another run at Antetokounmpo this summer, flipping its core veterans into future draft capital will be essential — particularly players not named McDaniels, whom the organization continues to view as foundational.
Chris Mannix: Bucks Wanted McDaniels, Multiple Picks
Jaden McDaniels, Giannis Antetokounmpo, 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.
According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Milwaukee’s asking price centered on McDaniels plus multiple first-round picks.
That threshold was unreachable.
Minnesota currently controls only one future pick swap, in 2028, that it could offer. The Bucks’ preference for a blue-chip young defender and premium draft equity exposed a structural gap Minnesota could not bridge before the deadline.
The Wolves could match salaries. They could offer starter-level players. They could not meet Milwaukee’s pick demands.
Timberwolves Pivot at Deadline
With Antetokounmpo effectively off the board, Minnesota pivoted to a smaller transaction that formally closed the book on its Giannis pursuit.
ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Timberwolves sent Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips.
Dosunmu arrives as a plug-and-play rotation guard on an expiring $7.5 million contract, averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 45.1 percent from three. Internally, Minnesota hopes he can replace the two-way impact lost when Nickeil Alexander-Walker departed in free agency.
Mike Conley Jr. Expected to Return
While Conley Jr. became the sacrificial lamb in Minnesota’s Giannis pursuit, Charania also reported that the veteran guard isn’t going anywhere after all.
Conley plans to return to Minnesota, according to Charania, citing league sources.
“The sides are working on timing of him re-signing,” Charania wrote. “Conley was traded twice this week — to Chicago, then to Charlotte — before being released and allowed to rejoin the Wolves.”
Conley was waived by the Charlotte Hornets, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Because the Timberwolves did not trade Conley directly to Charlotte, league rules allow Minnesota to re-sign the veteran guard this season — reopening a door that appeared closed just days ago.
Wolves Exit Trade Deadline With Clarity — and a Roadmap
Minnesota exits the deadline without Antetokounmpo — but not without answers.
The Timberwolves proved willing to disrupt their core, rework their cap, and chase a true franchise-altering superstar. What they could not do was bridge the draft-capital gap.
If Antetokounmpo’s situation shifts this summer, Minnesota now knows exactly what it must do to re-enter the race — and how far it still has to go.
For now, the Wolves’ Giannis pursuit is paused.
But as Haynes’ reporting suggests, the real market may only be getting started.