DHJ Quick Take: Minnesota’s Offseason Pursuit
- Targeting Giannis: The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to renew their pursuit of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason after previously trying to acquire him at the trade deadline.
- Playoff Fallout: The trade push comes after Minnesota defeated the Denver Nuggets in six games during the first round of the playoffs but fell to the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the second round.
- Star Pairing: The organization views Antetokounmpo as the ideal elite talent to pair alongside Anthony Edwards to elevate the franchise into a legitimate championship contender.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to pursue a trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo again this offseason, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
Minnesota pursued Antetokounmpo at this year’s trade deadline.
“The Bucks are expected to entertain offers for Antetokounmpo with a seriousness that they did not have in February,” Krawczynski wrote. “Tim Connelly will likely try to re-engage on that front while also looking at other options around the league.”
The Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets in the first round of this year’s playoffs in six games but lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round in six games. Minnesota needs another star next to Anthony Edwards to become a legitimate championship contender and Antetokounmpo fits that bill.
The Bucks are open for business on trade calls and offers for Antetokounmpo, who believes the time has come for him and the franchise to part ways.
Antetokounmpo guided the Bucks to the 2021 championship in six games against the Phoenix Suns. Milwaukee has won just one playoff series since then and missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 2016.
A future Hall of Famer, Antetokounmpo has spent his entire NBA career with the Bucks. He’s a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time All-Star.
Antetokounmpo will make $58.5 million next season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season.
A top-75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo holds career averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. The star forward has been linked to the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks in trade rumors.
All signs point toward the Bucks trading Antetokounmpo this summer. It will be fascinating to see where Antetokounmpo is playing next season.
Latest NBA News & Rumors At Dallas Hoops Journal
- NBA Exec: Los Angeles Lakers Should Give LeBron James 1-Year Deal With No-Trade Clause
- 3-Team Trade Proposal Sends Anthony Davis To Portland Trail Blazers, Jalen Williams To Washington Wizards
- 4-Team Kawhi Leonard Trade Proposal Sends Los Angeles Clippers Star To Golden State Warriors
- Giannis Antetokounmpo To Decline Long-Term Commitment To Milwaukee Bucks This Offseason
- Sources: Luka Dončić, LeBron James Have Positive Relationship; Dončić Wants James To Re-Sign With Los Angeles Lakers
- LeBron James Feels Taken For Granted By Los Angeles Lakers, Believes Organization Tried To ‘Push Him Out The Door’ With Luka Dončić Trade
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers Interested In Continuing Partnership
- Luka Dončić Told Los Angeles Lakers Not To Trade Austin Reaves For Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Joel Embiid ‘Not Happy’ Philadelphia 76ers Traded Jared McCain, Didn’t See Eye-To-Eye With Front Office, Coaching Staff
- Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics Don’t Have Any ‘Internal Issues’
- Cleveland Cavaliers Contacted Milwaukee Bucks About Blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade
- Nikola Jokić Expected To Sign Extension With Denver Nuggets, Who Could Make ‘Real Roster Changes’ This Offseason
- Houston Rockets Could Pursue Trades For Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid
- LeBron James Opens Up Like Never Before About Michael Jordan GOAT Debate, NBA Finals Record
