While the Minnesota Timberwolves look to improve Anthony Edwards’ supporting cast, acquring Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a long shot, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Although the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics are the two reported favorites to land Antetokounmpo within the next 48 hours, the Timberwolves are a distant third.
The Timberwolves’ lack of draft captial and unwillingness to part with Edwards’ teammates play a part in them not having enough to strike a deal with the Bucks for Antetokounmpo, as Stein noted, per The Stein Line.
“There are many complicating factors for Minnesota here, including the relative lack of draft capital they have to offer (they can trade two first-round draft picks) and the financial cost for a team filled with considerable contracts,” Stein reported. “Antetokounmpo is eligible for a four-year, $275 million contract extension this fall, which is nothing to overlook for a player who has faced a fair amount of injuries in recent seasons.
“The Bucks have yet to pull the trigger on a deal, with the belief around the league that they are underwhelmed by offers on the table from the Miami Heat and the Celtics, widely considered to be the two most aggressive pursuers of the two-time MVP.”
Still, the Timberwolves’ search to land an All-Star-caliber player to place alongside Edwards continues.
“As Amick and Nehm reported 10 days ago, the Timberwolves have to be considered in this race because Connelly has been trying to get his hands on a big-name star to pair with Edwards for years, Stein added. “He tried to trade for Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline in February. Last year, he had his sights set on Kevin Durant. So far, there has been little traction between the Wolves and Bucks in large part because Milwaukee has insisted on McDaniels being a part of any offer.”
Plus, the Timberwolves were unwilling to part ties with wing Jaden McDaniel, which factored into their chances to land Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Understandably, Bucks GM Jon Horst would demand McDaniels in a deal for one of the top five players in the world, especially from a team that has a relatively paltry number of draft picks to offer,” Stein noted. “The Wolves have been holding firm on saying no on McDaniels, team sources said.
“Center Joan Beringer is also a player the Wolves want to keep because of his size, athleticism and feel for the game. What the Wolves do not want to do is liquidate their depth in making a trade to pair the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo with Edwards. The longer the Bucks go without getting a deal done with another team, the more the door stays open for Minnesota. But it seems like a very long shot at this point.”
After failing to reach the Western Conference Finals for a third consecutive year, it’ll be interesting to watch how the Timberwolves’ offseason unfolds.
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