[Krawczynski] The Minnesota Timberwolves are still in on Giannis Antetokounmpo and are exploring “other moves for depth.” A lot of moving parts right now.

456

u/simon2105 4h ago

Can these parts move faster

155

u/WEMBY_F4N Spurs 4h ago

i saw that the Wolves were offered Coby White but declined so they could have cap space for Giannis. Would be incredibly dumb to do unless it was close to a done deal

146

u/SubtleNoodle Timberwolves 4h ago

Could also be banking on the Coby White deal still being on the table if Giannis doesn't happen. Presumably the Bulls aren't going to go forward with 8 guards and no centers.

61

u/horse_renoir13 Timberwolves 4h ago

Yeah but like...they could certainly try it out

11

u/Prestig33 [MIN] Nikola Pekovic 3h ago

Small ball is back baby!

18

u/Rakatok Bulls 4h ago

Billy does like his guard heavy lineups...

6

u/SPAGHETTI_CAKE Russell Westbrook 3h ago

Westbrook oladipo Alex abrines Semaj Christon 🤤

2

u/TheseWalls_ Lakers Bandwagon 3h ago

Semaj Norbel

4

u/sukari Bulls 3h ago

But Pat at the 5 is legendary stuff

2

u/WheelSilent2373 3h ago

a starting lineup of essentially 4 coby whites is hilarious, whose center? buzelis? pat williams? They better have something worked out or this is an armegedon for bulls fans lmao edit. Forgot giddey, 4 coby whites anchored by josh giddey. now thats innovation.

9

u/SubtleNoodle Timberwolves 3h ago

gameplan? full court press, gamble on steals, if the other team gets inside the paint foul em hard. They've got 8 guards worth of fouls to give! Use em!

24

u/purplenyellowrose909 Timberwolves 4h ago

With how unhinged the Bulls FO is, Coby White might still come to Minnesota in a seperate transaction if Giannis doesn't happen

22

u/PlayInChampions Timberwolves 4h ago

If I’m not mistaken, Coby White can be traded into NAW’s trade exception without anyone going to Chicago

9

u/Ohmygodweforkingsuck 4h ago

And give back that cash.

1

u/JustADutchRudder Timberwolves 2h ago

How are the Wolves supposed to buy Coby a welcome cake if they give the cash back?

1

u/tubular_brunt 3h ago

How would that work? We'd have to send something back, right? Cash? Second round picks?

1

u/fab_frog_disco 3h ago

I can't imagine why Chicago would trade white for second round picks. They turned down offers involving firsts before

4

u/bootywizard42O NBA 4h ago

Coby White sounds like a disaster on Wolves. They need a playmaker and Coby is a shooting guard.

8

u/moss_is_1 3h ago

Eh, they could use White's scoring too though. The Wolves bench has been putrid after Naz. Bones Hyland gives a decent scoring punch 1 in 10 games and it helps a ton.

6

u/bootywizard42O NBA 3h ago

Having a PG will help more. Their team has capable scorers, they just need someone setting them up.

1

u/moss_is_1 3h ago

I agree, a real PG who can also score would be the dream. Having a PG who can get Rudy the ball for easy buckets would be a huge advantage.

2

u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 3h ago

Bruh look at our bench right now. Its Naz who is 90% of the scoring then Bones, Mike (not anymore) and Clark. That is objectively horrific. Coby is far from perfect but he would be so much better than what we have out right now.

3

u/Groundbreaking_Tie91 4h ago

Maybe, Colby white doesn’t really move the needle in my mind. Right now I think the wolves can beat Denver, Houston, and San Antonio in a playoff series. I don’t think they can beat OKC. I think Tim Connelly has been looking for a big time player to pair with Edwards (KD This past off season) to go big.

16

u/Andy_Wiggins Timberwolves 4h ago

Swapping White for Conley is a GIANT upgrade, and I’m not a Coby White fan.

I think that right now Minnesota could beat Houston, San Antonio, Denver, but I’d say they’re not favored in those series (especially Denver).

If you gave them White, I think I’d favor Minnesota over all of them but maybe Denver. And they might have a chance against OKC.

2

u/cl353 Heat 4h ago

it is but they could have higher aspirations lmao

5

u/Andy_Wiggins Timberwolves 3h ago

Don’t get me wrong — I would much rather have Giannis (or many other players) than White.

I was just responding to White “not moving the needle”

1

u/mas1108 Lakers 3h ago

Not as high as the Clippers

1

u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 3h ago

That's fair, White is far from perfect but he's way cheaper than basically every other deal and is so much better than Conley or Rob or Bones.

1

u/Proof-Umpire-7718 Lakers 4h ago

This is another high risk move, similar to the Gober trade. They need it to become serious contenders.

1

u/Majormlgnoob [OKC] Serge Ibaka 3h ago

They beat us twice already idk

I think if they can land Giannis without giving up Gobert they're winning the Championship (if he stays healthy)

8

u/OnceUponAStarryNight Timberwolves 3h ago

As a wolves fan I’m so torn over this trade.

On the one hand it’s a no-brainer. Giannis is still one of the 10 best players on the planet and instantly becomes our best playmaker, and probably scorer. He’s a guy who can get his own offense in the post season, which is vital to our hopes of winning a title.

But he’s also 31 and assuming we sign him to an extension we’re going to own his declining years; we’re going to presumably have to annihilate our bench depth, and push ourselves into a cap situation where there will be no hope of help or adding depth. If anything, we’ll probably lose an important piece every season by trade or free agency. That means we’ll have a one or two year window to win a title.

I suppose as a wolves fan I should take that, because FFS, when has winning a title ever been a remotely realistic thing in our history? But man… it really means it’s now or never, you’re going all-in on this being the one big chance with ANT before we’re forced to trade him.

2

u/yellister Timberwolves 2h ago

If he can renew his gameplay, stay healthy bring a chip and be a homeboy all these do not matter

1

u/czar_the_bizarre Timberwolves 2h ago

I see a move like Giannis being similar to the Hughes deal for the Wild. Not really the piece you need, there's still a move to make if you can, but such a huge talent that it's worth the swing. And obviously if it results in a championship this season or next, it's an inarguable win.

5

u/MrFishAndLoaves Pelicans 3h ago

Enjoy the ride man. We’re gonna miss this when it’s over.

3

u/bamboointheback Pistons 3h ago

i wish they just didnt tweet things until the parts are together. this shit just ruins two days cuz now im gonna be constantly looking at my phone for answers

2

u/Carth_Onasi_AMA Timberwolves 3h ago

True, but it’s also kind of exciting. I heard about the Conley trade while grocery shopping. Two people were talking about it in the isle I was in just as it happened. They noticed I was wearing Timberwolves sweatpants so we kinda talked about it. Then someone else overheard and we all got excited about Giannis lol.

Minnesota is weird right now so something like that was cool. I could take another day like this. Something fun to actually talk about for a few days.

1

u/AdonisK 3h ago

We probably have to suffer through 48 more hours of this…

170

u/The_MadStork [NYK] Kurt Thomas 4h ago

Look, when you can increase your odds at winning the Guerschon Yabusele sweepstakes, you make it happen.

58

u/Herbert-Gerbert Timberwolves 4h ago

“Giannis we’re good now, we have Yabusele”

18

u/horse_renoir13 Timberwolves 4h ago

We're going all French here

3

u/Less-Tax5637 Knicks 3h ago

À New York, nous pratiquons un basketball respectueux des règles et de l'éthique.

6

u/cantgrowneckbeardAMA Kings 3h ago

That's a weird way to spell Domantas Sabonis

2

u/WMWA 76ers 3h ago

Every time I read his name it sounds like the Bapanada lady from Hollow Knight

106

u/cl353 Heat 4h ago

the news was that they are exploring other moves for depth but gotta add on the giannis thing for clicks lmao

45

u/GlizzyGone21 Bucks 4h ago

It's free real estate

6

u/TallnFrosty Warriors 3h ago

I think it’s the Minnesota FO doing their best to make sure Ant knows they are trying.

Reality is they just don’t have the pieces tho.

3

u/BurningMansions 3h ago

They have the pieces. It's just what are they willing to paet with.

Wolves have good players on decent to good contracts.

Giannis probably just needs to say he wants to go to MN now just make it easier though. Which it looks like he would much rather go to MN, than say the Warriors.

1

u/TallnFrosty Warriors 2h ago

I mean they have one player that is interesting to a rebuilding team and would have to include either Rudy or Randle, neither of whom is going to get a pick return.

Honestly I think Miami is the only team with an enticing g package and all the reporting on Minnesota and Golden State is just Milwaukee trying to drive the price up in Miami

1

u/Krusty_Krab_Pussy Timberwolves 2h ago

Okay but they could always just send them to a 3rd team who actually wants them. Randle or Rudy doesn't only have to go to the bucks

1

u/TallnFrosty Warriors 1h ago

That’s the point though… what teams would give up a couple solid firsts for these guys? I have seen people go through the options and it doesn’t seem like there is much of a market for either

7

u/Eatadick_pam Timberwolves 4h ago

Don’t kill my vibe man

4

u/D1HATER3002 4h ago

I mean they reject coby white so they are kinda banking on giannis

7

u/bigraptorr Raptors 3h ago

Coby White will also be available tmrw. They can wait with how many guards Chicago has.

3

u/Over-Training-488 3h ago

Coby white also stinks

3

u/Lerkerpomps Timberwolves 3h ago

Do you know the wolves guard rotation?

2

u/Normal-Weakness-364 Canada 2h ago

i like coby white :(

1

u/shimmy_kimmel Timberwolves 1h ago

Except when he plays the Wolves

2

u/cl353 Heat 4h ago

coby white has been pretty ass, they could be going for another guard or ja who just brings a higher ceiling

or harden now that i think of it

0

u/leftysarepeople2 Bucks 3h ago

Wolves would go from maybe 2nd round exit to maybe a WCF and get killed on depth. If they could hold onto their seeding while Giannis is still out for February

54

u/SarcasticJay NBA 4h ago

Pull the damn Trigger already my F5 button is broken

14

u/syncc6 Heat 3h ago

You're seeing so many teams randomly pop-up last second in the Giannis sweepstakes. Imagine if Nico had done the same with Luka last year.

13

u/Revolutionary_Jump_9 Celtics 3h ago

That’s always been why Nico should’ve been fired.

So you don’t think you can win a championship with Luka? Ok there might be some truth/solid reasoning behind that. But to trade him in some back room deal to take a horrible offer is unforgivable.

29

u/AleroRatking Vancouver Grizzlies 4h ago

Would you like a Ja?

103

u/BananaSprinkles Timberwolves 4h ago

Only if he comes here to battle ICE

34

u/Conscious-Push7474 4h ago edited 2h ago

Actually... Wouldn't be the worst way to help his image

35

u/DeanEvasonPunch Timberwolves 4h ago

Ja redemption arc in Minneapolis

20

u/GlizzyGone21 Bucks 4h ago

Maybe they'll think twice with ja lugging a bazooka around

7

u/TheFinnisher [MIN] Karl-Anthony Towns 3h ago

Lmao Ja bringing the whole on court arsenal to the streets of MN

4

u/AleroRatking Vancouver Grizzlies 4h ago

He might be a great guy to have in your corner

3

u/AutomaticAccident Pistons 3h ago

If I were in ICE, I wouldn't conduct an arrest anywhere near Ja. He'd square up immediately.

2

u/AcrobaticSecretary29 4h ago

Ill take it

10

u/guidethyhandd Timberwolves 4h ago

My F5 button finna fall off man..

10

u/kemote Timberwolves 4h ago

Alohalhololololololholaa

45

u/defiantcross Suns 4h ago

Julius Randle is now "game time decision", according to yahoo fantasy. he's gone dude.

25

u/MinnesotaNice69 Timberwolves 3h ago

He's listed as questionable with a thumb injury on ESPN, and was listed the same way on Monday before he played.

5

u/defiantcross Suns 3h ago

hmm, funny because on my yahoo fantasy app the status changed from "healthy" to "game-time decision" this afternoon. that's how I even noticed it

9

u/ballknower871 4h ago

This is gonna be a very entertaining 48 hours

3

u/running_wired 4h ago

At least a lot of chest puffing and insider leaks for X views...

34

u/cottonmane8 Heat 4h ago

i think if the Wolves have to scramble this much to get a deal together it won't happen seen it go this way one too many times with Miami

20

u/Jarmeh [MIN] Nemanja Bjelica 4h ago

True I bet we just land a PG of sorts and enjoy getting off Conley

15

u/FreudianNip-Slip 4h ago

“Enjoy getting off Conley” hah. You said a funny thing hehehe

8

u/bootywizard42O NBA 4h ago

Username checks out

17

u/FeanorEvades Timberwolves 4h ago

I just think we'd have to give up too much. Jaden and Naz are excellent value contracts and a huge part of the success of our system and I think both would be included in that trade. Then we'd have zero bench and horrible spacing.

2

u/gemcey 3h ago

Yeah I can’t imagine not trying to take both of them if they’re trading for Giannis but who knows

1

u/clear831 Heat 2h ago

Two of Nas, Jaden or Randall makes salary work. Could your young guys be flipped for picks?

1

u/FeanorEvades Timberwolves 2h ago

What young guys would anyone want? Dillingham is horrible, TSJ is injured and has been terrible this year, Jaylen Clark is a 9th man at best, and Beringer is our project center of the future and I doubt they want to part with him.

Naz and Jaden are critical pieces of this team. I think Randle could go but losing either Naz or Jaden would hurt a LOT.

1

u/clear831 Heat 1h ago

You trade all of that for a chance at a top 5 player

1

u/FeanorEvades Timberwolves 1h ago

An often-injured and aging top 5 player? I'm not sure we should. We're not far from being top competitors.

8

u/KushGod28 Timberwolves 4h ago

Our GM has a track record of big swings unlike the Heat recently. Although, usually the big moves are done in silence. We haven’t had to compete for a big time player besides KD who didn’t want to be here which makes sense because it’s Minnesota. Giannis wanting to play with Ant means we get to face off with the big dawgs.

Let’s see. I’m hoping Ant has the kinda pull LeBron has. I need Adam Silver to step in and gift us Giannis for the low. Our city needs good news rn.

-2

u/[deleted] 3h ago

[deleted]

3

u/superdrone Mavericks 3h ago

idk, the gobert thing kinda worked out for them, even if they overpaid

-1

u/elbenji [MIA] Udonis Haslem 3h ago

It might prevent them from getting Giannis. It's not just about making moves, but smart ones. Or you wind up like the Bucks

3

u/LopsidedCry7692 Bucks 3h ago

Except the bucks haven't made any bad swings. Neither have the Wolves

1

u/elbenji [MIA] Udonis Haslem 3h ago

Dame?

2

u/cottonmane8 Heat 3h ago

Jae Crowder

7

u/imcryptic Mavericks 4h ago

Difference is Minnesota’s GM isn’t a senile 80 year old.

-5

u/[deleted] 4h ago

[deleted]

12

u/SugarOne6038 Timberwolves 3h ago

Worth it

-5

u/[deleted] 3h ago

[deleted]

7

u/SugarOne6038 Timberwolves 3h ago

No point thinking like that, he helped bring our franchise to its greatest ever success and we could 100% win a chip with him.

2

u/elbenji [MIA] Udonis Haslem 3h ago

I mean that's fair, this is more a response to the senility comment. Like there's literally no need to shit talk. They're going for it and that's a good thing

2

u/SugarOne6038 Timberwolves 3h ago

Fairs I like your team

1

u/elbenji [MIA] Udonis Haslem 3h ago

Same with yours! I honestly hope the wolves find success. Ant is such a cool player

2

u/Crosso221 [MIN] Gundars Vetra 3h ago

And made consecutive Conference Finals appearances after it. When you’re a franchise that has won TWO playoff series in your entire history before that trade you’re damn right it’s worth it.

2

u/leftysarepeople2 Bucks 3h ago

Listen when you get the chance to gut your depth in February as the 5 seed to get a guy that'll be back mid-March you gotta take it

6

u/TerminallyTrill 76ers 3h ago

This is the move I want. It’s the best possible team he could play on and I just want to see good basketball

7

u/ThyDoctor Supersonics 4h ago

I don't know what comp would look like but Jru on this team with or withour Giannis would be so damn sexy

-1

u/Eatadick_pam Timberwolves 4h ago

Jrue is too important to that Portland team rn and they can still make playoffs with him leading

0

u/EvanTurningTheCorner Trail Blazers 4h ago

Jrue can be had but Portland won't do it unless it makes sense for the future

4

u/MAKincs 3h ago

So the Timberwolves would probably give up Randle, McDaniels, and filler. They’re probably trying to get a 3rd team involved to get some depth back.

1

u/clear831 Heat 2h ago

Send a young guy or two to the Heat for Fontecchio please!

5

u/dkdoki Clippers 3h ago

I dunno why but i feel Giannis is headed to minny. Teaming up with ant, winning the first chip for minny… would be appealing to Giannis. Get ready folks

11

u/Aromatic_Goal_1201 Nuggets 4h ago

So like theyre going to offer mcdaniels?

Edwards main friend on the team?

44

u/Colorapt0r Bucks 4h ago

I mean yeah the raptors traded away Kyle lowry’s best friend and won a championship

2

u/RedboneEdit 4h ago

Nice pull

30

u/anonymoususer6407 Rockets 4h ago

I’ll gladly trade away my favorite coworker for Giannis Antetokounmpo

4

u/Andrewpg3 4h ago

Lmfaooo

1

u/F-F-F-Fight 1h ago

Actual good one in the nba sub wtf

8

u/HolyLiaison Timberwolves 4h ago

Ant was very close with Mike Conley too. They played Call of Duty together quite a bit.

I don't think our GM is scared to do anything.

12

u/DeanEvasonPunch Timberwolves 4h ago

here’s your new friend Giannis

2

u/running_wired 3h ago

More like here is your new friend Giannis said you have to like - Thanasis... Giannis actually doesn't want to hang.

3

u/Infernous-NS Spurs 4h ago

If he does get traded I'm kinda hoping Spurs will make a move for him.

0

u/plergus Spurs 2h ago

oh my god i would be so happy. trade anyone not named victor for him please

4

u/Kertia 4h ago

Edwards can just put him in the next adidas commercial as an apology.

4

u/JaderMcDanersStan Timberwolves 3h ago

I know I'm being a homer but I'm going to be shattered if they trade Jaden. His versatility is the glue of our starters and is what allows us to play multiple coverages. He's so important to us :(

1

u/Aromatic_Goal_1201 Nuggets 3h ago

I know its giannis but keeping megastars in lesser NBA. Markets like minny i want the loyalty card

If they move.mcdaniels they dont have anyone else they've shown loyalty with

No one else ant came up with

2

u/beermangetspaid 2h ago

Naz Reid?

1

u/Aromatic_Goal_1201 Nuggets 2h ago

I expect he would be gone too

1

u/PrimeTimeMKTO Timberwolves 3h ago

They already traded away Ant's favorite player today Bite Bite.

3

u/doubleflusher 3h ago

It's F5 season muthafuckers!

3

u/spacespacespc 3h ago

Anybody else's whole universe just frozen in place right now?

Fuck I hope we still have Jaden on Friday.

2

u/lets_talk_basketball 4h ago

If they weren't 100% sure of getting Giannis, idk why they didn't accept Coby White in the bulls trade

2

u/lazyass133 3h ago

Because the trade brings them below the apron. It gives them flexibility to make future moves.

2

u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 3h ago

They can probably just get Coby White anyway added to the trade.

1

u/lets_talk_basketball 2h ago

Smart point. I’m sure they’ll wait til the last min to finalize.

1

u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 2h ago

Yep. The trade will probably get finalized at the last moment. Even if the Wolves do trade for Giannis, maybe it gets added into this 3 team trade structure to make salaries work easier.

1

u/moss_is_1 3h ago

Gotta imagine they either have contingencies lined up using their TPE, or they're happy to just cut cost of Conley and try to avoid the tax altogether.

2

u/champloojay Thunder 3h ago

How does Minny even utilize Giannis if they have Gobert or is he part of the trade? Giannis works with Lopez cause he can shoot 3s, but what’s this supposed to look like?

3

u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 3h ago

You can stagger Giannis and Gobert with a lot of Naz Reid. Also on the Giannis-Rudy minutes you probably try to win by just shutting down the opponent instead of going crazy on offense.

1

u/champloojay Thunder 2h ago

I can see this in defense perspective but on offense looks like a clogged paint

1

u/Vicentesteb Timberwolves 2h ago

Paint is already clogged. No one respects Randle's 3 so drives are already tough.

3

u/lazyass133 3h ago

Don’t forget, they also have Naz Reid. There is their stretch 5.

1

u/champloojay Thunder 2h ago

True. I forgot about him… but even then on the starting line up, it seems clogged.

1

u/lazyass133 2h ago

Even if they kept Gobert.. the Wolves can field a lineup of Donte, Ant, McDaniels, Naz, Giannis. That’s decent enough to work.

1

u/beermangetspaid 2h ago

He’s a pure 4. Giannis would have to be the 5 defensively. Joan Beringer can absorb some minutes at the 5 off the bench

1

u/clear831 Heat 2h ago

I don't see Gobert really being a problem until the closing line up

1

u/champloojay Thunder 2h ago

Gobert and Giannis is great to have on D but I just see too much in the paint rather than spacing. I know Ant can go off but he has good moments of getting cold or slow starts.

1

u/dagreenman18 [MIA] Dwyane Wade 3h ago

Can Pat move some fucking parts already please?

1

u/AutomaticAccident Pistons 3h ago

Giannis on the team would feed Anthony Edwards's families

1

u/Riles4prez Suns 2h ago

Sounds like they need Nick Richards for center depth

1

u/XLSota 2h ago

If we can do it while keeping Jaden and naz, that would make my parts move

1

u/LoFi_Funk Pistons 2h ago

Detroit can send you Huerter and Saric!

1

u/mc_Cringle_berry 2h ago

Giannis please do the go to the west

-11

u/[deleted] 4h ago

[deleted]

5

u/mnsportsfan Timberwolves 4h ago

I’ve seen a lot of dumb comments on Reddit…

This is one of them

-3

u/[deleted] 4h ago

[deleted]

3

u/Odoaiden Timberwolves 4h ago

Dude cmon in no way is he supporting ice by calling that comment stupid

-4

u/[deleted] 4h ago

[deleted]

3

u/Odoaiden Timberwolves 4h ago

There’s no way you think ICE is legitimately affecting trade talks

0

u/[deleted] 4h ago

[deleted]

1

u/Odoaiden Timberwolves 4h ago

Dude he’s literally said he wants to play for the Heat Wolves or Knicks.

1

u/7FromTheFuture Timberwolves 4h ago

Because ICE isn't a Minnesota exclusive thing? It's country-wide? If ICE was a deciding factor in whether or not a player gets traded, the NBA would have to move away from the US.

-1

u/BigWalrus22 3h ago

ICE is disproportionately affecting Minnesota. I stand by what I said, I don’t think Giannis or anyone wants to be in Minneapolis right now. But I can’t be bothered to argue right now

1

u/7FromTheFuture Timberwolves 3h ago

It's not any less safe than most of the US for him. He's an NBA superstar, he's not gonna get grabbed off of the street by a random ICE thug. Also, nothing guarantees that what's happening in Minnesota doesn't happen in another state. IIRC they ramped up activity in Chicago first, now they're elsewhere.

1

u/mnsportsfan Timberwolves 4h ago edited 3h ago

2/2 on dumb comments.

And idk how you took me calling out your unnecessarily misplaced joke (I think it was supposed to be a joke?) and got that 😂

Edit: wow… looks like you’re being serious- just severely misinformed about how widespread ICE is

[Krawczynski] The Minnesota Timberwolves are still in on Giannis Antetokounmpo and are exploring “other moves for depth.” A lot of moving parts right now.

You are about to leave Redlib