The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the middle of a grueling second-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. However, the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo may prove to be a distraction, as the Wolves were one of the teams who reportedly targeted the Milwaukee Bucks superstar at this year’s trade deadline (and may do so again this offseason).
Anthony Edwards and company have helped the Wolves to a 2-2 series against one of the best teams in the NBA (even though a Victor Wembanyama ejection helped them out). However, if an Antetokounmpo trade could be on the horizon this summer, will the rumor get into everyone’s heads mid-playoff run? That would be a mess.
But the rumor is already out there.
Latest Giannis-Wolves rumor could be a distraction
Shams Charania of ESPN put out a report detailing a bunch of teams that could be suitors for Antetokounmpo this summer. And despite the fact that they are in the middle of a playoff run, the Wolves were one of the teams:
“The NBA playoffs represent another landmark point for the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Sources said postseason teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers pursued Antetokounmpo at the February deadline, and their finishes to the campaign will play a major factor in their aggressiveness to trade for him.”
In theory, that report means that the Wolves considered trading some significant pieces that are currently on the team. Guys like Julius Randle or Jaden McDaniels, who have been crucial to the Wolves’ playoff success this season.
Maybe the Wolves will be able to put this rumor on the back burner. Maybe the locker room won’t care about it. Maybe they’ll ignore it and be right back to business.
But it’s going to pop up. It’s inevitably going to find the ears of Edwards, Randle, McDaniels, and the rest of the team. What if a guy finds out that he was the one who could have been traded? How will that affect morale?
Rumors happen. This is far from the first time any of these players have had to deal with them, even when it comes to them getting into the locker room. But it’s certainly not the best time for a rumor like this to pop up, especially considering the potential future ramifications.
Charania noting that teams’ playoff success could determine whether or not they try to trade for Antetokounmpo again could impact the Wolves’ focus.
This is just a rough time for this report to come out for Minnesota.
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