Latest Trade Rumors Tie Timberwolves to Giannis and Kyrie… but Barely

The Minnesota Timberwolves, much like the Minnesota Wild on the other side of the river, are expected to make some sort of blockbuster move this offseason. So far, they’ve been connected to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard, among others.

However, serious questions remain over exactly what president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has up his suit coat sleeves. Getting a deal done won’t be simple, given the Wolves luxury tax situation and somewhat limited flexibility.

From the sounds of it, the Wolves are willing to part with just about any player on roster not named Anthony Edwards (obviously), Jaden McDaniels or top up-and-coming big man, Joan Beringer.

Minnesota Timberwolves interested in Kyrie Irving, but…

This, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fisher over at the Stein Line Substack, where the two trusted NBA insiders are reporting that the Minnesota Timberwolves have indeed been checking in with the Dallas Mavericks on a possible Kyrie Irving trade.

To this point, however, it sounds like the Mavs have rebuffed their overtures, claiming they’d prefer to hold onto the 35-year-old point guard who the Timberwolves would love to pair in the backcourt with Ant.

In a rather interesting turn of events, the Houston Rockets suddenly seem much less interested in Kyrie, which could play into the Mavericks playing hard to get, in an attempt to drive up his price.

Sources tell The Stein Line that the Mavericks, thus far this offseason, have been messaging to teams that Irving is not available…Detroit and Minnesota are known to have Irving interest, but The Stein Line has learned that Houston — oft-mentioned as a potential suitor — has yet to make any overtures to the Mavericks regarding the 34-year-old’s availability.

It was nonetheless always anticipated that some rival teams out there, undeterred by the fact that Irving last played in an NBA game in early March 2025 due to a knee injury, would test Dallas’ resolve to see how firm Ujiri’s stance proves. To this point it is holding.

Stein Line Substack

It is still very early in the offseason. Obviously, it’s possible Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri changes his mind on Irving, especially should Kyrie politely ask out of an organization that is clearly rebuilding.

Irving sat out the entire 2025-26 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL. He last played professional basketball in 2025. During the 2024-25 season, his second full run in Dallas, the former No. 1 overall draft pick out of Duke averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

Kyrie Irving appreciation post pic.twitter.com/u4J2Vrf6A1

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 25, 2024

In his 14-year NBA career, the 9x All-Star, 3x All-NBA, 2011-12 Rookie of the Year and 2016 NBA Champion is averaging 23.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

He may be past his prime, but most believe — given he was still putting up numbers above those career averages the last time he was on the floor — that Kyrie Irving still has at least a few years of high-level basketball left in him.

Whether or not his Hall of Fame career continues in the Lone Star State (or possible the North Star State) has yet to be seen.

Minnesota Timberwolves + Giannis looking dead, despite recent steam

The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade situation was also updated by the same Stein Line piece on Kyrie. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves were not mentioned as one of the teams still seriously in the running for landing the Greek Freak.

Instead, it sounds like Miami is on the precipice of a deal, if they can find a third team to help facilitate some additional capital to Milwaukee, in order to push talks over the finish line. Boston is the other team Stein and Fischer are keeping tabs on.

Per league and team sources, the Bucks appear to be seeking clarity from several suitors as to what they would be willing to offer before making a final decision. The Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic, the sources say, are among them

Stein Line Substack

Stein Line’s update Friday afternoon was especially interesting, considering just earlier in the day, the Giannis + Minnesota rumors were somewhat rekindled in a different article over at The Athletic, where Sam Amick and Eric Nehm reported that the Timberwolves still have interest in trading for the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo.

Bucks asking too much for Giannis?

However, team sources told the reporting duo that Connelly is not interested in putting Jaden McDaniels into the package, which seems like a non-starter for the Bucks.

Additionally, the package being floated by The Athletic — McDaniels, Reid, Shannon Jr, (2) 1st Rd Picks — seems far too heavy for the Wolves to actually move on. Not to mention, it doesn’t include Julius Randle.

Some also see the Timberwolves as an emerging option for the Bucks. While Antetokounmpo is known to prefer a trade involving a team in the Eastern Conference, league sources say the Bucks are interested in what Minnesota has to offer.

If the Timberwolves want to get into the mix, league sources say the Bucks would want a package including Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr. and their two tradable first-round picks (No. 29 in this year’s draft and their 2033 pick)….team sources say Minnesota has indicated that McDaniels is off-limits. Per those sources, the same goes for 19-year-old big man Joan Beringer.

The Athletic

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