The 2026 offseason is going to be iconic in terms of player movement across the NBA. Out of all the stars who might join new teams, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is arguably the most prestigious, and his situation could shift the NBA’s hierarchy for years to come.
As it stands, multiple teams have been involved in trade talks, and new ones are joining the sweepstakes every day. According to The Athletic, the Minnesota Timberwolves are the latest riser in the Giannis talks, with a optential framework for a deal revolving around Jaden McDaniels.
“The Timberwolves are also seen by some as an emerging option for the Bucks. While Antetokounmpo is known to prefer a trade involving a team in the Eastern Conference, league sources say the Bucks are interested in what Minnesota has to offer,” wrote Sam Amick. “If the Timberwolves want to get into the mix, league sources say the Bucks would want a package including Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr., and their two tradable first-round picks (No. 29 in this year’s draft and their 2033 pick).”
After finishing sixth in the West this season and advancing to the Western Semi-Finals, the Timberwolves announced their new big three for the future: Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Joan Beringer. If the Wolves had their way, they wouldn’t trade any of those three core players. Nevertheless, exceptions can be made when someone like Giannis is on the table.
As the bona-fida star and leader of the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards runs the show, and he has made it clear that he wants his team to make some major roster upgrades. Notably, a replacement for Julius Randle seems to be the move, and Giannis would more than suffice, even over someone like Kyrie Irving.
The best part for the Timberwolves is that they wouldn’t have to give up Randle or Gobert to get a deal done. If they are willing to part with Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr., and their two tradable first-round picks, it might just be enough to snag Giannis from the Bucks.
At 31, the Greek Freak is years ahead of Edwards, but his skillset and championship experience would raise their ceiling exponentially. In 2025-26, which is considered a down year for Giannis, he put up 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 62.4% shooting and 33.3% shooting from three. Alongside a fearless scorer like Edwards, Giannis could thrive in the frontcourt and feast in the paint with a spread offense.
The only question for the Wolves is whether they trust Giannis to stay healthy. With just 36 games played this season, Giannis’ availability has seen a sharp decline, and it could cause Minnesota to think twice before giving up such a major package in return. Plus, if they can use fewer resources to address their need at point guard, it could be a better alternative to a Giannis trade.
For now, it remains to be seen what the Timberwolves will do, but it’s clear that they are fully committed to building a championship team around Anthony Edwards. He’s shown that he can deliver when the stakes are highest, but he’ll need some help if Minnesota wants to keep up with the likes of the Thunder and Spurs in the West.
