RealGM Basketball Wiretap

03 February 2026

• Wolves Emerge As Most Aggressive Western Conference Contender At Trade Deadline

  Of the six teams at the top of the Western Conference standings, the Minnesota Timberwolves are believed to be the one who are most aggressively looking to make a major move ahead of the trade deadline. The Wolves have been linked to various upgrades in the backcourt all season as Rob Dillingham hasn't emerged the way they envisioned when they traded for him on draft night in 2024, plus they are in serious pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

  The Wolves were similarly highly motivated to acquire Kevin Durant both at last year's trade deadline and again in June before he was dealt by the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets.

  "The most aggressive team in the West right now is the Minnesota Timberwolves," said Brian Windhorst on Monday's episode of Get Up. "They are in the game for Giannis. I don't believe that their offers can outweigh the other offers and I'm not even sure that Giannis is getting traded before Thursday.

  "The Timberwolves are being aggressive. If they don't make what I would call a Hail Mary Giannis deal, I think they are aggressively looking to upgrade their backcourt.

  "And they have beaten the Thunder twice this year. So, they certainly, you know, are a team that would have some confidence against them. But when the Thunder at the top of their game, I'm not sure you're touching them."

  Windhorst added that he doesn't anticipate the Thunder, Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers making a major transaction at the deadline. The San Antonio Spurs and Rockets, meanwhile, have not been linked with Antetokounmpo and are also expected to let the deadline pass without major activity.

• Bucks Have Made Counteroffers To Teams In Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Talks

  On a recent episode of NBA Countdown, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania gave some insight into where things stand with Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks. Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks have made counteroffers to teams who made aggressive offers for Antetokounmpo.

  The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have been the most serious suitors for Antetokounmpo so far. Charania also said that this may go down to deadline day on Thursday, February 5, and could extend into the offseason.

  Milwaukee is reportedly looking for draft capital and young players in exchange for their superstar forward. If a team can't meet that asking price, the Bucks may take this to the summer. However, Antetokounmpo could exercise more control, as he'd be in the final guaranteed season of his contract, as the veteran forward holds a player option for the 2027-28 season.

• NBA All-Star Reserves Include LeBron James, Six First-Time All-Stars

  The NBA named the 2026 All-Star reserves as voted on by the NBA coaches.

  Eastern Conference

  • Scottie Barnes - Toronto Raptors
  • Jalen Duren - Detroit Pistons
  • Jalen Johnson - Atlanta Hawks
  • Donovan Mitchell - Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Norman Powell - Miami Heat
  • Pascal Siakam - Indiana Pacers
  • Karl-Anthony Towns - New York Knicks

  Western Conference

  • Deni Avdija - Portland Trail Blazers
  • Devin Booker - Phoenix Suns
  • Kevin Durant - Houston Rockets
  • Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Chet Holmgren - Oklahoma City Thunder
  • LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers
  • Jamal Murray - Denver Nuggets

  Avdija, Duren, Holmgren, Johnson, Murray and Powell are all first-time All-Stars. LeBron James was selected to a record 22nd All-Star team.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Wolves, Sixers On List Of Potential Teams

  Giannis Antetokounmpo has had the Minnesota Timberwolves on his list of teams he would be interested in joining dating back to last offseason, sources tell The Stein Line. Antetokounmpo finds the idea of teaming up with Anthony Edwards appealing to him. Antetokounmpo feels similarly about Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers.

  The Wolves are limited in what they can send out in terms of future draft capital and would almost certainly need another team to highly value Jaden McDaniels in order to construct a package attractive enough for the Milwaukee Bucks to take it compared to what other teams could potentially offer.

  Tim Connelly is known as one of the more aggressive executives in the NBA, evidenced by his trades for Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Last year, the Wolves attempted to trade for Kevin Durant.

  If the Bucks wait to trade Antetokounmpo until the offseason, the Wolves could gain access to two additional first round picks to offer.

  At this point, sources say the Sixers have not contacted the Bucks about a potential Antetokounmpo trade. Maxey, like Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid, works out with NBA trainer Drew Hanlen.

• Warriors, Heat, Wolves, Knicks Strongest Suitors For Giannis Antetokounmpo

  In a recent appearance on Inside the NBA on ESPN, NBA Insider Shams Charania gave some details into the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. Charania said that the strongest suitors at this point for Antetokounmpo are the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks.

  The Warriors have been linked to a number of high-priced superstars over the years. They could put together a trade package of several players, along with draft picks. Or Golden State could try to tempt Milwaukee by offering Jimmy Butler, along with younger players and draft picks.

  The Heat don't have overwhelming draft picks to offer the Bucks, but could match salary in a number of different ways.

  The Wolves and Knicks are both facing issues as first-apron teams who aren't far below the second apron. Neither can bring back more money than they send out in a deal. That means that trading for Antetokounmpo would likely see Minnesota or New York involving a third team as a facilitator.

• NBA Postpones Wolves-Warriors Game From Saturday To Sunday

  The NBA announced that it has postponed Saturday's game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors. The game was scheduled for 5:30 PM ET on Saturday and will now be played at 5:30 PM ET on Sunday.

  The league's stated reason for the postponement was to prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community.

  The Wolves and Warriors are also scheduled to meet on Monday evening at 9:30 PM ET.

• Wolves Seek Point Guard Addition While Targeting Luxury Tax Reduction

  The Minnesota Timberwolves are actively exploring opportunities to add backcourt depth while simultaneously reducing their payroll obligations, according to multiple league executives. The dual mandate comes as the franchise faces a $24 million luxury tax bill this season after ownership paid over $90 million in tax penalties last year.

  Rival teams have believed Minnesota has maintained interest in point guard help for several months. Head coach Chris Finch has frequently opted against deploying a traditional floor general, instead relying on shooting guards Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards to handle playmaking responsibilities.

  The unconventional approach has contributed to the league's sixth-ranked offense this season. Minnesota has benefited from exceptional health among core players and career-best offensive performances from Edwards and Julius Randle.

  The organization made a significant investment in addressing the position last summer, trading into the lottery to select point guard Rob Dillingham. The expectation was that Dillingham could develop into a long-term backcourt partner for Edwards.

  However, Bones Hyland has earned playing time ahead of the rookie. Hyland represents another draft selection by Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly from his tenure leading the Denver Nuggets.

  Minnesota's lack of tradable first-round picks significantly limits their options. Any substantial roster modification would require moving a key rotation player, a challenge facing numerous contending teams.

  Multiple executives indicated this week that such constraints across the league will likely result in minor transactions dominating the trade deadline period rather than blockbuster deals.

• Rudy Gobert To Be Suspended One Game For Flagrant Foul Accumulation

  Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is facing a one-game suspension for accumulation of flagrant foul points. Gobert is now at six flagrant foul points, which automatically triggers a one-game suspension. The Wolves center has four Flagrant 1 fouls and one Flagrant 2 foul.

  This latest flagrant foul was for a reckless closeout against Victor Wembanyama during Minnesota's victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. Wembanyama landed on Gobert's foot following a three-point attempt.

  Gobert will miss Tuesday's game at the Milwaukee Bucks. Any subsequent flagrant fouls for Gobert will result in a two-game suspension. The counter will then reset when the playoffs begin.

• Trae Young Has Interest In Wolves, Nets; Neither Team Pursuing Trade

  Trae Young's camp has proposed the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets as attractive trade destinations as he and the Atlanta Hawks work on his exit, but neither team are currently interested in a deal.

  The Wolves have a clear need at point guard as Rob Dillingham has been unable to emerge as a successor to Mike Conley Jr. However, the Wolves would need to send out substantial salary that would compromise their rotation in order to acquire a high-salaried guard such as Young. Minnesota is prioritizing a more affordable guard.

  Brooklyn controls their own first round pick this season, but they won't in 2027. The Nets haven't signaled any interest in making an in-season trade that would potentially improve their team immediately. Also, the Nets haven't provided any signals that they have interest in Young specifically.

  The Sacramento Kings have also been speculatively linked with Young in the past, but that no longer is the case under Scott Perry. Zach LaVine's representatives at Klutch Sports reportedly tried to build support for a trade of their client to the Hawks for Young in the offseason, but the Kings weren't interested.

  The Washington Wizards have been the only team confirmed to have interest in acquiring Young.

• Anthony Edwards Leaves Bench During Wolves' Blowout Loss At Hawks

  Anthony Edwards scored 30 points in three quarters but left the bench area in frustration as the Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a 126-102 blowout loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. The defeat marked Minnesota's second lopsided loss in three games.

  Edwards threw a towel in the air when Chris Finch pulled the starters with 7:52 remaining. He then departed for the weight room beneath State Farm Arena and declined to speak with media after the game.

  "Ant's obviously frustrated with the performance, and rightfully so, but he needs to stay out on the floor and root for his team," Finch said.

  The Hawks dominated despite playing without All-Star guard Trae Young, ending a seven-game losing streak. Atlanta scored 64 points in the paint against Minnesota's full-strength lineup and led by 27 points in the second quarter.

  Minnesota dropped to 21-13 after also losing 123-107 to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals in each of the previous two seasons.

  "Not like a team that wants to play for the championship," Rudy Gobert said. "It didn't seem like we had any type of energy .. any type of life.... Offensively, it just seems like we were playing an individual sport, and defensively it just feels like there's not any extra effort. I think the two are connected."

  Kristaps Porzingis returned from a 10-game absence due to illness and provided 16 points in 17 minutes for Atlanta. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 34 points on 15-of-22 shooting, adding 10 rebounds and six assists.

  Minnesota faces a weekend back-to-back against the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.

  "We have another tough game coming up against another team that plays really, really hard and runs full court," Finch said. "So, we've got to regroup."