The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and a lot of media outlets are assuming Anthony Edwards is upset with that decision. Out-of-context clips ran the internet as the NBA’s vultures circled in the aftermath of the Milwaukee Bucks star getting traded to the Miami Heat. But president of basketball operations Tim Connelly revealed that the Timberwolves star was fully on board with the decision to pass on the opportunity.
“I think he’s super excited,” Connelly said via Timberwolves podcaster Dane Moore. “...There’s countless things we could have done. I think our roster’s pretty well thought of leaguewide and when you go to your leaders like Ant, you say ‘It takes this to get that’ and the conviction he has in our guys is evident when you say, ‘No, we’re not trading this guy.’ So I think the whole room’s excited. I think we’re ready to try and take the next step.”
While Connelly didn't explicitly say it, connecting the dots, it's possible Edwards wasn't fond of trading for Giannis, given that the Wolves backed out of trade talks for him.
Edwards’ optimism could be tied to several outcomes, including Naz Reid’s promotion to the starting lineup after Julius Randle was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. But the biggest could be his belief in Jaden McDaniels, who may have gained another vote of confidence from his teammate.
Edwards’ faith in McDaniels might have been a key reason the Timberwolves didn’t trade for Giannis
McDaniels was rumored as one of the Bucks’ top targets in a potential Antetokounmpo trade, but the Wolves never seemed willing to meet that price. This represents a long-standing pattern dating back to the Utah Jazz asking for him in the 2022 trade for Rudy Gobert. Edwards has also talked McDaniels up at every turn, including the “We’ve got Jaden McDaniels” quote from a few years ago.
While the Wolves have talked up McDaniels, he has yet to reach his full potential. McDaniels has been a strong perimeter defender, but his offense hasn’t reached the same heights with averages of 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game over his six-year career.
There were positive signs last year, however, with McDaniels setting career-highs in points (14.8), assists (2.7), 3-point shooting percentage (41.2 percent) and free throw percentage (83.5 percent) and Connelly has continued to hint that he could have an increased role with Randle on his way to Brooklyn.
“I think we’ve got to unlock some of his playmaking,” Connelly said. “There’s really not much he can’t do. We saw that in the closeout game versus Denver. His shooting continues to improve. He’s such a natural mid-range scorer. He’s so big at the rim. …We know he can be a special, special player.”
It’s one thing for Connelly to vouch for a player that he wasn’t willing to give up for Antetokounmpo. It’s another to have Edwards on board with it, especially as trade rumors begin to swirl.
The Wolves seem to be banking on their own development instead of making a big trade or diving into free agency and the plan may only work if McDaniels becomes the player that Edwards and Connelly think he can be.
If Edwards believes in McDaniels taking a leap, it’s another reason why the Wolves made the right decision to not sell the farm for Antetokounmpo; it’s another sign there could be big things ahead when he takes the court for next season.
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