After a seemingly never-ending saga between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, the two-time MVP might finally be on the move at this year's trade deadline, and according to numerous reports from NBA insiders, there's real mutual interest between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Giannis.
While the original appeal of a Giannis and Ant duo sounds incredible, I would caution the Wolves on selling the majority of their depth to get him, and unfortunately, it seems like that may be the only way the Bucks agree to a deal.
Given the Wolves' lack of draft capital, the most likely framework of a deal would involve three or possibly even four teams. For the third team, the Portland Trail Blazers make the most sense due to their control of Milwaukee's future draft picks from the Damian Lillard trade a few years ago.
Hypothetically, the Timberwolves could acquire Giannis, along with defensive point guard Jrue Holiday. The Bucks would get a package around Julius Randle, Naz Reid, Mike Conley, and control of some of their first-round picks, and the Blazers would get Jaden McDaniels. Taking out Holiday, Reid, and Conley from this package gives the Wolves another avenue to land Giannis.
Regardless, there are a lot of moving parts, and making such a trade would be risky for the Wolves.
Why trading for Giannis is risky for Minnesota
Simply put, the Wolves have a thin roster as is. Outside of Naz Reid, the depth is pretty terrible, and a Giannis trade would gut what little depth this roster still has. Sure, you can pair two of the NBA's most elite players, but if this is the all-in trade you make, you have to be confident that you're able to find diamonds in the rough when it comes to role players.
Giannis and Ant would vault the Wolves into the highest echelon of championship contenders, but it will only work if they're able to either salvage some of their depth or acquire more depth. I would be more on board with the trade if they're able to get a guy like Gary Trent Jr. or bring back Taurean Prince in the trade. Given the Wolves' financial standing, though, that would be difficult.
I'm not going to sit here and act like I would be upset if the Wolves traded for Giannis. I'd be ecstatic, but I'm not going to act like it's a dud-proof trade either. There are risks, and unless there is another avenue to make the trade work, I would at least be hesitant about the deal.