The Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t make a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they may reap several benefits from sitting out. Aside from a deeper roster and the chance to validate their faith in Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, the Wolves can also rest on the fact that Anthony Edwards is still a player that stars want to come play with.
That confirmation came from NBA insider Chris Haynes. In a post on his X account late Monday night, Haynes reported that the Timberwolves were three teams that Antetokounmpo would have signed an extension with amid trade talks last month, joining the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat.
While this may come off as being a bridesmaid in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, it’s also an encouraging sign that will make building around Edwards much easier.
Anthony Edwards has made the Timberwolves a destination for free agents
Throughout most of their existence, the Timberwolves have had to make people come to Minnesota.
When Kevin Garnett was at the height of his powers in the early 2000s, the Timberwolves had to trade for Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell to join him. Jimmy Butler came to Minnesota after a blockbuster trade in 2017 and other franchise cornerstones, including Kevin Love, Karl-Anthony Towns and Edwards, were drafted as opposed to choosing Minnesota as their hand-picked destination.
With cold weather and steep taxes, that is understandable. But Edwards has done his best to change that narrative. Edwards has had the statistical success of his predecessors, becoming a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection since being taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft.
But he’s had much more success, leading the Wolves to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances before falling to the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinals last season.
That track record indicates the Wolves are close and Antetokounmpo likely saw himself as the missing piece. Unfortunately, Minnesota didn’t have the assets to get the deal done. But they still have Edwards as a major selling point for the next disgruntled superstar.
While the Dallas Mavericks are unlikely to trade Kyrie Irving this offseason, that door could open if they stumble heading into next season. Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies could be other stars who see an opportunity in Minnesota and even players who appear in the next year could look at the Wolves and have the same thoughts that Antetokounmpo did.
There’s also a chance the Wolves won’t have to wait to reap the benefits. A $33 million player exception could be used to bring another key piece to Minnesota and after Julius Randle was salary-dumped to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.
The Wolves could also lure a free agent to come in and fill a sizable role in their rotation next season because of Edwards’s presence.
It’s why fans and media members who are beginning to fantasize about trades that could bring Edwards to their city may have to think the other way around.
It’s also why the Wolves' task to create a better team around their franchise player may not be as difficult as it seems as they head deeper into an important offseason.
