The trade deadline has passed, but the Giannis sweepstakes evidently have not. The latest saga of will-he-or-won't-he just got another major twist, and it's not Miami or New York leading the pack. Because Jake Fischer just revealed that front office executives around the league believe Minnesota has been the real destination all along, and the Timberwolves already made a serious push.
Speaking over Bleacher Report, Fischer dropped this bit of info.
"Jaden McDaniels in my opinion, and I think in the opinion of a lot of front office executives around the league, was the best blue-chip prospect on the table and they thought that was going to be enough because Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to various people with insight to this situation, they believed that Giannis definitely wanted to go to Minnesota and team up with Anthony Edwards and help him get past the Western Conference Finals, a stage the Timberwolves have yet to achieve."
Timberwolves may be front runner once Giannis trade talks begin again
Minnesota already offered Jaden McDaniels, their best young asset, for Giannis, and league executives thought that would be enough to get the deal done based on Giannis' reported preference to play there.
While unconfirmed, the Timberwolves supposedly being Giannis' actual preferred destination makes perfect sense when you think about it. Anthony Edwards is the young superstar on the rise who needs a veteran co-star to reach the next level. Minnesota has legitimate championship pieces but can't get over the Western Conference Finals hump. Giannis joining Edwards would instantly make them title favorites.
The fit also makes sense, at least from a basketball perspective. Edwards is a two-way talent who can handle primary ball-handling and shot creation while Giannis dominates as a finisher and defensive anchor. They'd complement each other's games better than almost any superstar pairing in the league.
The McDaniels offer being rejected suggests Milwaukee either wants more than just one blue-chip prospect, or they're waiting until summer when Minnesota can include additional assets. The Timberwolves' draft pick situation improves in the offseason, giving them more ammunition to construct a package that actually gets the deal done.
This explains why the Giannis trade didn't happen this trade deadline, despite all the smoke and mirrors in the days leading up to it. Milwaukee's waiting for summer when Minnesota can put together their best offer -- probably McDaniels, multiple first-round picks, and salary filler. That's a legitimate package that facilitates a real rebuild while sending Giannis where he actually wants to go.
The summer timeline also gives Minnesota time to figure out their own roster construction. They need to determine which other pieces are movable, what contracts can be included for salary matching, and how to structure a deal that keeps them competitive while adding Giannis.
Giannis trade talks are paused for now, but the offseason front runner is already glaringly obvious. Minnesota wants him, Giannis wants Minnesota, and they've already shown willingness to part with their best young asset to make it happen.