Giannis on the Move? Timberwolves Clear the Decks, and the Hawks Stand to Cash In
The NBA trade deadline is heating up, and the Minnesota Timberwolves just made a move that has the league buzzing-for what wasn't in the deal as much as what was. In a three-team trade, the Wolves shipped out Mike Conley’s $10.7 million expiring contract and a first-round pick.
That’s a steep price to pay just to offload a player whose deal is already winding down. So what’s really going on here?
According to Shams Charania, Minnesota is clearing cap space and roster flexibility in pursuit of a Milwaukee star. And let’s be honest-when someone says “Milwaukee star,” there’s only one name that matters: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Now, nothing is official. Giannis hasn’t been traded, and Minnesota hasn’t secured him.
But this move signals something big: the Timberwolves are ready to go all-in. You don’t throw a first-round pick into the wind unless you’re chasing a franchise-altering player.
And if Milwaukee is finally listening on Giannis, Minnesota wants a seat at the table.
What the Conley Deal Tells Us
Let’s break this down. Mike Conley is a respected veteran, but he’s on an expiring deal.
That kind of contract is usually seen as a trade asset, not something you have to pay to move. So why would Minnesota attach a first-round pick just to get Conley off the books?
Simple: they’re making room. Whether it’s for salary cap purposes, roster flexibility, or both, this is a classic prelude to a blockbuster. The Wolves are clearing the runway for a big-name landing, and all signs point to Giannis being the target.
Even if Minnesota doesn’t land him, their aggressive posture suggests someone will. And once that domino falls, the ripple effects could reshape the playoff picture-and the draft board.
Enter the Atlanta Hawks: Silent Winners of the Day
While the Wolves are making headlines with bold moves, the Atlanta Hawks are quietly sitting back and watching their draft capital appreciate like beachfront real estate.
Thanks to a twist of fate-and a trade tree that traces back to the Jrue Holiday deal-the Hawks own the rights to the more favorable of the 2026 first-round picks between the Pelicans and the Bucks. That might not have meant much a few months ago, but it means everything now.
New Orleans is struggling, no surprise there. But Milwaukee?
That’s the shocker. The Bucks were supposed to be a playoff lock.
They stretched Damian Lillard’s contract and brought in Myles Turner to reinforce the roster. On paper, they were built to contend.
But the season hasn’t gone to plan. And if Giannis is truly on his way out, the Bucks' slide could turn into a full-on tumble.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
With Giannis in the lineup, Milwaukee is a .500 team (15-15). Without him?
A brutal 3-14. That’s a 17.6% win rate.
Even if the Bucks get a solid player or two back in a Giannis trade, it’s hard to imagine them staying afloat in the East without their MVP centerpiece.
Right now, the Pelicans have the second-best lottery odds, and the Bucks sit at seventh. That gives the Hawks a 52.1% chance at a top-four pick via New Orleans, and a 31.9% shot through Milwaukee. And here’s the kicker: if Milwaukee’s record dips further post-Giannis, those odds only get better.
Atlanta could be looking at two lottery tickets-and one of them might be golden.
A Draft Jackpot Without Lifting a Finger
While other teams were scrambling to make deals at the deadline, Atlanta didn’t have to do a thing. No assets moved.
No rotations disrupted. Just a well-timed notification and a shift in scouting priorities.
The Hawks are now in a position where they could land a top-four pick-maybe even two. That’s the kind of draft capital that can reshape a franchise, whether it’s used to select a future star or flipped for a proven one.
This isn’t just a win. It’s a windfall.
What Comes Next
Nothing’s official yet. Giannis is still a Buck-for now.
But Minnesota’s move signals that the market is heating up, and Milwaukee may be ready to listen. If a deal goes down, the league landscape shifts dramatically.
And while all eyes will be on where Giannis lands, don’t forget about the Hawks. They’re the quiet winners in all of this, holding a lottery ticket that just got a whole lot more valuable.
Sometimes, the best moves are the ones you don’t make.