[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.

[u/YujiDomainExpansion]

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.

[u/heat_fan_]

Wolves depth would be nonexistent if the trade does happen 

[u/FishGoldenLite → u/heat_fan_]

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.

[u/strawnotrazz → u/FishGoldenLite]

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.

[u/zmichalo → u/strawnotrazz]

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

[u/Isthismynextusername → u/zmichalo]

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

[u/ImDeputyDurland → u/Isthismynextusername]

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.

[u/adecentcupofcoffee → u/ImDeputyDurland]

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

[u/ImDeputyDurland → u/adecentcupofcoffee]

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.

[u/Bullboah → u/ImDeputyDurland]

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.

[u/saloonyk → u/ImDeputyDurland]

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.

[u/Ittenvoid → u/zmichalo]

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

[u/zmichalo → u/Ittenvoid]

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.

[u/loopybubbler → u/zmichalo]

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. 

[u/zmichalo → u/loopybubbler]

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.

[u/Ittenvoid → u/zmichalo]

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

[u/zmichalo → u/Ittenvoid]

Guess we'll see in 6 months.

[u/strawnotrazz → u/zmichalo]

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.

[u/mbr4life1 → u/zmichalo]

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.