The Minnesota Timberwolves are circling Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they have every right to do so. Why wouldn't they want to pair Anthony Edwards, one of the game's best young players, with another elite player? It's a dream come true. It appears that Giannis himself is on board with the idea, as ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst reported Thursday that the Greek Freak does have an interest in Minnesota.
.@WindhorstESPN has more on Giannis and where he may land ✍️ pic.twitter.com/5ZOvOkUGPL
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 29, 2026
Antetokounmpo and Edwards would be a generational pairing
Pairing these two would instantly form one of the most exciting duos in recent memory. Giannis could remain the dominant interior force that he is while his co-star sinks tough jumper after tough jumper, while also doing some attacking of his own. Opposing defenses wouldn't have a clue what to do or who to guard on a nightly basis.
Immediately, Minnesota increases its championship odds in a stacked Western Conference that features powerhouses like the OKC Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. However, this wouldn't be just a one-and-done situation. Giannis is 31, and Edwards is 24; these two could spend the next several years competing for championships if the Timberwolves were to unite them.
Right off the bat, many will question how this tandem would be different from the Bucks trading for Damian Lillard, another high-level scoring guard. Things didn't go so well there, but the grass may be greener in Minnesota. Unlike Lillard, Edwards is a two-way guard who is far younger, and it wouldn't hurt to have a coach like Chris Finch calling the shots over Doc Rivers.
For Minnesota and Giannis, it sounds like a perfect pairing. For Milwaukee, it's not.
The Timberwolves are deprived of meaningful draft assets, and while players like Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid could be interesting additions, they aren't moving the needle in trade talks unless there is legitimate draft capital attached. Minnesota would likely have to rope in other teams to syphon enough draft compensation to get the Milwaukee Bucks on the phone.
Unless Minnesota has a very busy next seven days, teams like the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are far better positioned to land the Greek Freak, even if they don't have a young superstar who could play next to Giannis.
Giannis' preference for where he lands will absolutely play a role in what ultimately happens, but that team at least has to be able to make some sort of compelling offer. The Milwaukee Bucks aren't giving their star away for an inadequate package. No way.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.