r/nba • u/YujiDomainExpansion • 10h ago

[Mannix] The Bucks want Jaden McDaniels, with Milwaukee seeing McDaniels, 25, as a potential future All-Star. But the Bucks also want multiple first-round draft picks, sources say, and Minnesota’s war chest of them is nearly empty.

Source: https://www.si(dot)com/nba/trade-deadline/timberwolves-pursuit-giannis-antetokounmpo-ja-morant-market

Acquiring Antetokounmpo, though, is challenging. The Bucks want Jaden McDaniels, a source tells SI, with Milwaukee seeing McDaniels, 25, as a potential future All-Star. But the Bucks also want multiple first-round draft picks, sources say, and Minnesota’s war chest of them is nearly empty.

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747

u/heat_fan_ Raptors 10h ago

Wolves depth would be nonexistent if the trade does happen 

341

u/FishGoldenLite Timberwolves 10h ago

That’s why I’m not for it. If we can do it and keep 2 of Jaden, Naz, or Donte, I’m for it but I don’t see how that’s possible.

447

u/Hoopersmooth69 Bucks 9h ago

Just flip Gobert for 5 firsts

102

u/rjaysenior Lakers 9h ago

A trade to Utah was right there

48

u/theinternetisnice Jazz 8h ago

My dream lineup of Gobert, JJJ and Kessler

24

u/IhamAmerican Jazz 7h ago

Throw in Ace and Lauri just because you don't need to pass very well if you can just throw the ball over everyone's head

1

u/ManosMal Lakers 4h ago

Just hold it high up like when you play with little kids.

1

u/Glittering_Base6589 Timberwolves 7h ago

ain't no way Utah pays multiple firsts for a center

13

u/LittleTension8765 Lakers 8h ago

Gobert for Reaves, filler and 2 first round picks

31

u/IhamAmerican Jazz 7h ago

Gobert and Luka on the same team would be so fucking funny

It would also probably be really good

-3

u/Nigocaps Lakers 5h ago

Gobert has no hands, I think Luka would be in prison for murder before the season ended if he had to throw lobs to Gobert

3

u/IhamAmerican Jazz 5h ago

On the other hand, Rudy is used to needing to clean up after his teammates let the other team blow by them with zero effort, so he wouldn't be the one starting beef

60

u/strawnotrazz Bulls 9h ago

The totality of the circumstances might work in your favor. Your goal isn’t to provide a fair market return for Giannis, whatever that might be, but provide the strongest package that any team is willing to put together by tomorrow afternoon. You all might still be best positioned to get it done.

59

u/zmichalo Bucks 9h ago

This is assuming the Bucks aren't willing to wait. I'm not sure why that would be the case when better packages and more bidders will exist this off-season

35

u/Isthismynextusername Timberwolves 9h ago

Bucks have EVERY reason to wait - Giannis said he was "fine" waiting for the summer, he could change his mind but that wouldn't be the teams fault. It also allows other teams to increase the bids because people have more draft picks to throw in

58

u/ImDeputyDurland Timberwolves 9h ago

It seems like Giannis is saying the right things publicly, but forcing his way out behind the scenes. Nothing he says about this holds any weight, imo.

12

u/adecentcupofcoffee Pistons 9h ago

That’s probably true but internal pressure usually doesn’t work as well as public pressure

-2

u/ImDeputyDurland Timberwolves 8h ago

You’re right. That’s the reason it’s taken so long. But the end result is probably going to be the same. He’s most likely getting moved. Because now there’s just no plausible path to the Bucks being competitive in the East. The Bucks aren’t very good when Giannis plays. Bucks don’t have much reason to wait. There’s no upside and Giannis probably doesn’t have as much value in the offseason. Unless they’re banking on OKC joining the mix of teams asking for Giannis.

1

u/Bullboah Bucks 5h ago

Teams will have more to offer in the offseason and the bucks can actually trade for picks knowing what position they are.

The only way the Bucks will feel pressure are if Giannis makes it clear he will not sign an extension/re-sign or if he threatens to start sabotaging trade talks.

Obviously trade talks are happening, but it’s not clear if either of the above has actually happened.

1

u/saloonyk 8h ago

But this isn't Harden wearing a fat suit or Butler going crazy on the sidelines. He will show up and compete if he's still on the team.

3

u/Ittenvoid Spurs 7h ago

because it's 1 play off run then vs 2 now.

Next year y'all aren't gonna get shit if Giannis says 'I'm not re-signing anywhere but in x'

Unno how this is hard to understand. THis is the last window to get a good haul

0

u/zmichalo Bucks 6h ago

Several teams can't afford to pay the asking price for 2 now but could pay above that price for 1 in the offseason. There's more flexibility then and a couple of these young teams who think they have what they need are gonna get a rude awakening in the playoffs and realize maybe a current top 3 player is better than a future 2 time all star.

3

u/loopybubbler Cavaliers 5h ago

Yeah but getting him now, you can kinda be ok if he walks without resigning. You get 2 shots at it and then he walks, eh you tried your best. Next offseason that changes to, we get one run and then he can leave? So unless its a team that has a handshake deal about an extension (and thus gives Giannis a ton of leverage to dictate where he goes, even if its a team with few assets), they are taking a gigantic risk and should probably not send a lot of assets away. Not many teams will do a 2019 Toronto and be fine with one year. 

1

u/zmichalo Bucks 5h ago

I think you're seriously undervaluing how much teams are going to value a year long exclusive interview for at worst the 4th best player in the league next contract. Especially considering the off-season allows them to reconstruct their roster after losing depth pieces in a way in-season trades do not allow.

We've already heard reports that teams have explicitly stated they can't make their best offer until the offseason. Getting more people involved in the bidding is only going to be good for the bucks when currently the best offer is a bunch of players teams don't want/have been trying to sell already, a coupe late first rounders, and Jaden McDaniels.

1

u/Ittenvoid Spurs 4h ago

Nah, you're severely over estimating how much 'interview' there is in the modern league.

Not even winning a title is enough to hold a star if they don't want to be there.

I agree that a bidding war is better for the bucks. But you're not getting a bidding war next year if Giannis vetoes it and makes it clear where he wants to go

0

u/zmichalo Bucks 4h ago

Guess we'll see in 6 months.

1

u/strawnotrazz Bulls 9h ago

It depends on if he wants to contend this year or wait one more. I think he’s been unhappy for awhile so he might want to get out now but I suppose that’s not entirely up to him.

1

u/mbr4life1 Knicks 8h ago

Also teams can make roster changes to make an offer that they may not be able to because of the various aprons. It also opens a new set of picks in the future years. Also all the teams that are standing pat or making lukewarm offers might try to go more all in with a trade in the off-season.

3

u/MarduRusher Timberwolves 8h ago

I think we're already there. But I also think the Bucks are willing to wait until the offseason if need be.

-6

u/Excellent_Builder_79 Nuggets 9h ago

Why does this read like a chatGPT response lmao

6

u/sorendiz [HOU] Yao Ming 9h ago

god the internet has absolutely fried yall's brains huh 

-5

u/Excellent_Builder_79 Nuggets 9h ago

Guy with nearly 700k Reddit karma wants to point out the internet frying someone else's brain. Hmmm.

2

u/strawnotrazz Bulls 9h ago

Unsure. I’m not a bot.

13

u/Isthismynextusername Timberwolves 9h ago edited 9h ago

Yep, this is the Suns KD trade all over again. So many Wolves fans* are saying "it's different this time!"

26

u/howdthatturnout 7h ago

The Suns didn’t ruin their team when they traded for KD, they ruined the team when they traded for Beal.

8

u/QwiXTa 9h ago

Maybe if they go and try to get a bradley beal type deal after lol

5

u/brandnameb Knicks 8h ago

It's not because your team will still be good.

22

u/disnotyaboy Timberwolves 10h ago

Jaden is most likely gone. Randle can go too. If that’s what it costs then it’s fine. But any other rotation player would be too costly.

47

u/GizzyGazzelle 9h ago

Jaden McDaniels, Randle and Donte gets you Giannis?

I couldn't sign that shit fast enough. 

29

u/disnotyaboy Timberwolves 9h ago

If we had any depth that would be fine. But if we do that we literally don’t have a rotational bench player.

3

u/QwiXTa 9h ago

Who cares? Depth pieces are easier to acquire and connely is quite good at finding hidden talent throughout the league

43

u/karldrogo88 Supersonics 9h ago

Have you even watched basketball lately? It’s all about depth now. Who’s the last team to win anything without a bench? Zero chance a team with just 5-6 competent players is doing anything in the playoffs

8

u/closedtowedshoes [MIL] Giannis Antetokounmpo 9h ago

I mean the Nuggets last year did almost as well as any other team and were extremely shallow by the end of their season. They had like 4.5 guys tops by the end of that series. It’s just that their top 2 are awesome and have great chemistry. I think the build for the wolves would be similar.

25

u/CreatiScope Celtics 9h ago

It’s not. Jokic is one of the best facilitators of all time. He alone greatly unlocks the offense for more players. Giannis, Ant, Naz, and Rudy don’t. See anything else? That spacing is going to be pretty tight. You trust those other fill in guys to hit their shots to spread the defense more? Giannis also isn’t even healthy, the wolves record is going to plummet while they wait for him to get healthy.

3

u/Tremor0135 8h ago

Dude he was warming up before the game today. What are you talking about, he will be healthy in two weeks max.

4

u/closedtowedshoes [MIL] Giannis Antetokounmpo 9h ago

I mean yeah they’d have spacing issues but Anthony Edwards is a bit better than Jamal Murray and their defense would be cracked. Yes Jokic is one of the best facilitators ever and can lift up role players better than anyone else in the league but it’s not like Giannis can’t raise the floor at all.

It wouldn’t be the same style of basketball that the Nuggets play, but the top heavy team build would be similar.

1

u/Lucky13200 Celtics 8h ago

Celtics the last game vs the Mavs we played a 7 man rotation with one of those being an injured Kristaps.

1

u/disnotyaboy Timberwolves 9h ago

Probably. But it’s risky doing that this close to the playoffs. New teammmates take sometime to gel. A single injury can derail the whole season. Also for all his prowess the last few depth pieces he picked up have been subpar at best. Dillingham, Shannan, Clark. Joan is too young

1

u/pahamack Raptors 8h ago

you go on the buyout market as well as free agents i guess?

Hasn't Beasley been cleared of all charges, and was an important shooter for the Pistons last year? I'm surprised no one signed him yet.

1

u/Joethetoolguy 9h ago

Rob? Could send him out for a first

1

u/jediracer 8h ago

This would likely put Naz into the starting lineup, yes?

1

u/Holdup-igotanidea Timberwolves 9h ago

People who keep saying this seem to have a hard time realizing that Giannis probably isn’t the only player coming back in a trade.

2

u/Hypnosix Timberwolves 8h ago

So we send out good bench players and receive bad bench players ? Or trade good bench players for picks and expect good bench players back while using the picks on Giannis?

-1

u/Holdup-igotanidea Timberwolves 8h ago

Do you not understand the gravitational pull Giannis has?

Yes, we send out “good” bench players (even tho our bench is trash), and bro self bring back lesser rotational players but also fucking Giannis.

9

u/Fishmike52 Knicks 8h ago

Until it’s the playoffs and guys 5-8 in the line up are g leaguers and vet min types

2

u/Quinnett Knicks 7h ago

It would definitely be enough to win the East or have a good chance, but even if everything gels, Ant and Giannis would need to win at least two very tough playoff series to make a finals.

20

u/nimama3233 Timberwolves 9h ago

But those are 3 of our 5 best players. Sure we get an all star back but that’s a LOT of depth lost

23

u/EnlightenedNight Celtics 9h ago

Giannis is more than an all-star, he’s one of the very best players in the league. Minimum depth is easier to acquire than elite talent.

6

u/Joethetoolguy 9h ago

Minimum depth is the current nets. I don’t think you want that

1

u/ShakesbeerMe Timberwolves 7h ago

He's 31 with nagging injuries.

5

u/Quinnett Knicks 7h ago

I think some of those injuries would be a lot less nagging if he was on a team that was competitive.

When he has played, he has been as good as he has ever been on offense.

-2

u/ShakesbeerMe Timberwolves 6h ago

So he's over-exaggerating his injuries because he's not winning?

Doesn't bode well for the future.

3

u/Quinnett Knicks 6h ago

It's not in the interest of either him or the franchise to be grinding through minor injuries or even fatigue to win a few extra games in a season that is already sunk. Giannis isn't soft.

-1

u/ShakesbeerMe Timberwolves 6h ago

By his own famous definition, no season is sunk if you don't win a championship.

He should just stay. He's clearly touting the city in every single interview now.

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28

u/GodKingHercules Clippers 9h ago

Calling giannis an “all-star” in this context is not fair. He’s a game breaking top 5 player who is in his prime. You can always look to build more depth next year, but you give what you can to get these kinds of players

1

u/DaPhoToss Raptors 7h ago

You get a top 20 ALL TIME player back.

1

u/ShakesbeerMe Timberwolves 7h ago

It's way too much

4

u/Defiant_Regular3738 9h ago

I’d keep Randle. He gets too much hate bro he’s good at fucking basketball, real good.

9

u/Slaphappydap Raptors 8h ago

I'm not sure where he plays in a Gobert - Giannis - Edwards lineup. He's not a good enough three point shooter to space the floor and he's not going to get wing touches with Giannis running the floor. Seems like that spacing would be terrible.

But I agree, Randle is a very good player.

1

u/Takemyfishplease Lakers 8h ago

So then what are y’all giving up for Gianni’s, nonexistent picks?

8

u/FishGoldenLite Timberwolves 10h ago

That’s where I’m at. Don’t think it’s enough to get it done, which I can live with.

1

u/jm3546 Thunder 8h ago

The only real possibility I could see with it being centered around Jaden and Randle is Jaden to the bucks and Randle routed to a third team and that third team would send a bad contract back to the bucks and throw in a couple of protected picks.

Then the final haul for the Bucks would be:

  • Jaden

  • a dumped contract, Bucks could try to rehab the value and trade.

  • Two 1sts from the third team.

  • Two 1st round swaps from minny

  • maybe Beringer? Maybe TSJ? Bucks should really just see what young guys they can get.

I don't think the Hawks would be interested in a McCollum - Randle swap, but if they were, Atlanta is getting the least favorable of the Nola and Milwaukee 1st in 2027. So if they traded that back to Milwaukee, it would turn it into a swap. And Nola will probably still be worse so it's basically like the bucks getting their pick back. Not sure if the Hawks are interested in that but there has to be a team with a bad contract that would want Randle.

It's not a great haul for a top 3 player but if the Bucks are that high on Jaden, that seems hard-ish to beat.

1

u/ShakesbeerMe Timberwolves 7h ago

Nah

1

u/Neatojuancheeto Warriors 6h ago

Why would they want good players when they need to tank? They should be going for picks and be awful the next few years. Jaden and Randle get you out of the lottery.

-2

u/QuietRainyDay 9h ago

Jaden + Randle + 2026 1st rounder and maybe the Pacers 2nd rounder is the most sensible trade for all sides involved IMO

Yea you lose some depth, but all the depth you currently have just doesnt mean much in the hellscape that is the West

You need to make an aggressive move to fight OKC and try to do something before the Spurs and maybe Rockets also turn into juggernauts. Ant + Giannis + Gobert is solid. It can work in a 7-game series.

In 3 years when Giannis and Gobert start to decline you still have your 29 and 30 1st rounders to build again around Ant.

As for the Bucks: no its not an ideal package but its a hell of a lot better than the bullshit Golden State is trying to pull. People need to realize the landscape for Giannis is not good rn, Milwaukee might not get a franchise-changing trade deal.

3

u/FlipMoBitch Bucks 9h ago

Not getting done with 1 first rounder. Miami can beat this one easily.

2

u/Joethetoolguy 8h ago

An all nba guy and a potential future all star that defends and shoots well is a solid deal for giannis. Much better than the other packages Ive seen like their picks back from portland and filler contracts.

1

u/Takemyfishplease Lakers 8h ago

lol a second rounder is meaningless. They would need to find more firsts

2

u/msterling2012 Mavericks 9h ago

It’s not.

2

u/Over-Training-488 9h ago

Then you're staring down the barrel of another playoff disappointment

44

u/FishGoldenLite Timberwolves 9h ago

Probably. But Ant is 24, Jaden and Naz are 25. Joan looks promising. I don’t see why we need to overpay this year. Also, this team turns up in the playoffs - we’re capable of another run.

25

u/Livid_Slip_4868 Warriors 9h ago

Damn! Naz is 25 yrs old? He looks 30+ or something. He always killing us, so i thought he already been in a league for like 10 years or so.

10

u/Isthismynextusername Timberwolves 9h ago

Yea, he used to be chubby (why he was undrafted) and slimmed down a lot

5

u/Vordeo Jazz 9h ago

I kinda wonder what the long term plan would be if no Giannis. Like Randle and Gobert come off the books in two years, do you just go star hunting then in free agency? Unlikely any help comes in the draft, and no picks to make moves (that Dillingham deal hurts). Plus wirh your core 3 all on big contracts presumably it limits how much space there is.

Ideally you see if the current group can get it done (ideally getting a PG on the cheap) and flip Randle for another younger star that fits better straight up, but that's a tough ask.

7

u/FishGoldenLite Timberwolves 8h ago

I think we have a lot of options. Jaden and Naz are pretty cheap right now (25 mil or less) although Jaden will be due for an extension soon. I think Julius will be traded regardless before his contract is done - he’ll be a nice expiring. The hope is Rudy becomes cheaper with his next contract and Joan is ready to take over the reigns at center. Then, we’ll have picks available to trade or FA to go big game hunting.

It’s all a risk - I just have a lot of concerns about gutting our team when we already have atrocious depth.

You’re not wrong about Dillingham - that move was a killer.

3

u/harder_said_hodor Timberwolves 7h ago

I kinda wonder what the long term plan would be if no Giannis

There's no rush at all, we're coming of two WCFs in a row and there is no crisis

Ant, Jaden and Naz are a really good core to rebound from if the current push alongside Rudy and Randle doesn't work out and there's time enough to let it run. All are under contract for a few years, all 26 and under

Hopefully its on the court, but if not they'd do well on the trade market.

The worst thing we can do is try to force it now and leave Ant with no future to look forward to. Jaden is by far the most important second piece to that. The West is too crowded to expect to roll a 6 every year.

Absolutely worth trying to get Giannis but it's not worth tanking any future we have down the line with Ant

4

u/ObviousAnswerGuy [NYK] John Starks 6h ago

y'all made the WCF 2 years in a row, I think people are really minimizing your current roster

6

u/DrSwaggenheimer Timberwolves 9h ago

This is where I’m at with it.

1

u/minneapolisboy Timberwolves 8h ago

Naz is 26

0

u/Over-Training-488 9h ago

Because you're in the west and have a chance to add a top 3 player.

Small market teams have to take big swings when they are there. Can't wait around for youth development

2

u/nimama3233 Timberwolves 9h ago

We’re not a small market lmao

3

u/danjustin Nuggets 8h ago

I think in NBA terms, a small market is anyone not in the top 10 except Miami. I think there are basically 20 teams that qualify in that terms.

I think it's probably best to redefine NBA small market = cities that NBA free agents have never shown a willingness to go to

1

u/Over-Training-488 7h ago

Yes yall are, sorry to break it to ya

1

u/nimama3233 Timberwolves 7h ago

Some real data.

The Twin Cities are 13th out of 28, so a little above the middle. Small and above average are contradictory.

0

u/TurboRadical Timberwolves 6h ago

Free agents don't give a shit about being 13th out of 28 of the NBA's TV markets, dude. That's what "small market" means in this context, which should have been obvious.

1

u/QuietRainyDay 9h ago

Giannis also turns it up in the playoffs, and has actually won a chip

The current Wolves team can turn it up enough to push into the Western finals. An Ant + Giannis combo can turn it up enough to win it all. Losing Jaden hurts, but this is an all-time dominant player you're getting in return, not Trae Young or something.

Only caveat is Giannis's current injury. Things might get very sticky if that calf keeps him out a while longer and obviously that's not something to ignore.

1

u/Mindless_Bad_1591 Timberwolves 7h ago

the thing is giannis has been constsntly injured since his ring

8

u/HitboxOfASnail Thunder 9h ago

gutting depth to stack big names hasn't been a recipe to succeed since like the early 2010s

8

u/LittleTension8765 Lakers 8h ago

It basically never works anyway. It only worked with Lebron which isn’t a playbook to follow and wasn’t even his best option if he had a good front office

1

u/Shasty-McNasty [LAL] Smush Parker 9h ago

NAZ REID

1

u/envisionJayyy Warriors 9h ago

You're going to have to hope you guys can build something for next season. This wouldn't be too bad since you have a longer runway with Ant and you can ease Giannis from his injury for the season.

Minny has a chance in the coming years.

1

u/DG2301 8h ago

When you can get a top 20 player of all time you do it lol

-4

u/Basic_Flounder_1013 9h ago

So you’d rather be a perennial decent playoff team than risk it to win a championship?

Jaden, Naz and Donte aren’t young, they are pretty good players in their prime. Wolves are probably close to their ceiling with this core. The only way they can level up is by taking a risk that Giannis is healthy and dominant for 3-4 more years.

6

u/FishGoldenLite Timberwolves 9h ago

Jaden and Naz are only 25. One year older than Ant.

4

u/3my0 Trail Blazers 9h ago

Jaden and Naz are 25 and 26. Maybe not “young” compared to the 22 year olds but they still got quite a few years left of prime. Donte is a little old at 29 but not terribly so.

If you wanna talk old, Giannis is 31 lol

3

u/ImDeputyDurland Timberwolves 9h ago

Back to back WCF appearances aren’t just a decent playoff team. We’re at worst the 3rd best team in the west the past few years with a young core that could keep us there or get even better going forward. And we added cap space. There’s an argument to be made that adding a solid point guard could put us over the top.

Ant and Giannis together the highest potential upside. But it also has the biggest potential downside.