The Minnesota Timberwolves would love to add Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, but one factor in a trade could be how much the Milwaukee Bucks would want Julius Randle. Given his hefty salary, he would be a vital component in any deal, but with the way he's playing this postseason, especially the second round, the Bucks should have no interest.
Randle's value is deteriorating more and more
In five Western Conference Semifinal games, the forward is averaging 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 36.6 percent from the floor, including 21.2 percent from deep. After one of his more productive regular seasons, Randle has regressed mightily in the postseason, and he might soon be at home after the Timberwolves fell into a 2-3 hole against the San Antonio Spurs.
Randle isn't giving the Milwaukee Bucks anything to be excited about. Jaden McDaniels would be the headliner in any Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, obviously, but Randle would still need to be involved. Playing this poorly isn't increasing Milwaukee's desire to work with Minnesota if Giannis does ask out, especially with Minnesota's current draft asset stash running low.
The Timberwolves aren't out of the postseason yet, but unless Randle miraculously turns things around incredibly soon, their Giannis dreams will take a massive nosedive.
By acquiring Randle, the goal would immediately be for Milwaukee to flip him for additional assets, similarly to what the Portland Trail Blazers did when they acquired Jrue Holiday from the Bucks in 2023. Randle wouldn't fit Milwaukee's youth shift. If he doesn't fit and they cannot trade him, there suddenly becomes a major issue.
Minnesota faces stiff competition
Teams far and wide have been linked to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Celtics, Heat, Knicks, Lakers, Trail Blazers, and countless others will call Milwaukee this summer to try and pry Giannis away from the Bucks. The Timberwolves certainly have a better offer than some of those squads, such as the Knicks and Lakers, but not the best. They are somewhere in the middle.
Their current offer won't get the job done. The only way it would even be remotely possible is if Giannis went to the Bucks and said he would only play for the Timberwolves next season. By all accounts, that doesn't seem like an option. For the time being, it looks like the Bucks will field all offers that come their way.
The Minnesota Timberwolves certainly have a lot to figure out over the next few weeks.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google