The Minnesota Timberwolves are swinging big - and they’re not being subtle about it. With the trade deadline just hours away, the Wolves have zeroed in on a blockbuster target: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yes, that Giannis - two-time MVP, NBA champion, defensive nightmare, and one of the most dominant forces in the league today.
Sources around the league say Minnesota has been in steady contact with the Milwaukee Bucks over the past week, working the phones and laying the groundwork for what could be one of the most seismic in-season trades in recent memory. The Bucks haven’t tipped their hand yet - no clear signal on whether they’re ready to part ways with their franchise cornerstone - but the Wolves are leaving no stone unturned.
Minnesota's front office has been active on multiple fronts, shopping key pieces like Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid to gauge value and build up a war chest of assets. McDaniels, in particular, has drawn strong interest across the league, and it’s clear the Wolves are willing to make bold moves if it brings them closer to landing Giannis.
Earlier Tuesday, the Timberwolves made a strategic move, sending veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team deal. As part of that trade, they also shipped out a protected 2026 first-round pick swap to Detroit.
The deal wasn’t just about roster shuffling - it was a cap maneuver, giving Minnesota more breathing room financially. With the move, the Wolves dropped below the first apron and now sit just $3.8 million above the luxury tax threshold, giving them added flexibility to chase the biggest fish in the pond.
Now, the question across the league is simple: can Minnesota close? With less than 48 hours until the deadline, executives around the NBA are split.
Some believe Milwaukee will hold off on any major moves until the offseason. Others see the Timberwolves as the team best positioned - both in terms of assets and urgency - to pull off a deal that would reshape the balance of power in the Western Conference.
But Minnesota isn’t the only team in the hunt.
The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors have also made their plays for Antetokounmpo. Miami’s pitch reportedly revolves around a mix of draft capital and young talent - a classic Heat package, betting on upside and flexibility.
Golden State, on the other hand, is going all-in. Their offer includes four unprotected first-round picks and a mix of proven players like Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green.
It’s a win-now, win-later kind of deal - exactly the kind of offer that forces front offices to sit up and take notice.
Still, this isn’t just a numbers game. Where Giannis wants to go matters - a lot.
And according to league sources, the idea of teaming up with Anthony Edwards in Minnesota is something Giannis finds very intriguing. That’s part of why the Wolves have been so aggressive in recent days.
They know the window is open, and they’re sprinting through it.
Talks between the Timberwolves and Bucks are expected to continue right up until the buzzer on Thursday afternoon. Whether a deal gets done or not, one thing is clear: Minnesota is all-in. And if they land Giannis, the entire NBA landscape could shift in an instant.