One Western Conference contender reportedly is working to make a trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo come together before Thursday’s deadline.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Minnesota Timberwolves are “recruiting third and fourth teams” in hopes of landing the two-time MVP.
“They’re out there recruiting third and fourth teams to try to improve their offer to see if they can get Giannis,” Windhorst said on NBA Today. “If they don’t, which I think it’s a long shot, you could see them making a backup deal with a guard.”
While Antetokounmpo’s trade status has been up in the air since last offseason, it appears now could be the closest he’s been to landing with another team.
ESPN’s Shams Charania last week reported that Antetokounmpo is “ready for a new home ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, as several teams have made aggressive offers to the Bucks, who are starting to listen.” Charania added that “multiple teams have received a sense that the Bucks are more open than ever to Antetokounmpo offers between now and the deadline.”
Bucks coach Doc Rivers addressed the situation surrounding his star on Sunday, saying that Antetokounmpo isn’t interested in leaving.
“Giannis has said everything that we need to hear, that he wants to be a Buck, he loves the city and that’s all I can go by as a coach right now. Has it been difficult? Yeah,” Rivers said during an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Countdown. “Your players every day have to hear stuff. Every single day, about not just their best player but they’re thrown in the mix as well.”
Along with the Timberwolves, the Golden State Warriors are seemingly in the mix for Antetokounmpo, though a trade might have to involve beloved veteran Draymond Green.
NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein reported Saturday that the Portland Trail Blazers have “expressed” interest in Antetokounmpo, but the team also understands that “it would be a long shot” to convince him to sign with the team long-term.
Fischer and Stein noted, however, that Portland may be open to serving as a facilitator in a multi-team trade for Antetokounmpo as the Blazers eye a veteran. That could mean that the Timberwolves will check in with their division rival about helping them get a deal done.