Latest On Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Bucks are seeking clarity regarding what several teams are willing to offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo before reaching a final decision on a trade, league and team sources tell Sam Amick and Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
The Celtics, Timberwolves and Magic are among the teams involved in negotiations, according to the authors’ sources. The Trail Blazers have also expressed interest in acquiring Antetokounmpo, but Milwaukee seems to prefer using Portland as a third team to help facilitate a deal and reclaiming some of the draft picks it sent away in the 2023 Damian Lillard trade.
The Heat, who made an aggressive pitch for Antetokounmpo prior to the trade deadline, are still viewed as the frontrunners across the league, according to Amick and Nehm. Many sources expected a deal with Miami to be completed in February before the Bucks pulled out, and the current package is expected to include Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., either Pelle Larsson or Kasparas Jakucionis and draft assets that could involve up to three first-round picks. The authors note that Herro unfollowed the Heat on Instagram this week, creating speculation that a deal was about to get done.
Sources who spoke to Amick and Nehm cited “a sense of distrust” from some teams lingering from the way Milwaukee conducted trade discussions leading up to the deadline. It was the first time that general manager Jon Horst actually welcomed league-wide offers for Antetokounmpo, and the team seemed willing to make a deal. However, skepticism mounted about the Bucks’ “level of sincerity” as the deadline drew close, and the two-time MVP ultimately wasn’t moved.
Amick and Nehm cite the Celtics as posing “a serious threat” to Miami’s pursuit of Antetokounmpo, as league sources tell them that he would be willing to commit to a four-year, $275MM extension with Boston. Jaylen Brown would likely be headed out in that scenario, with the Bucks expected to flip him elsewhere in exchange for younger players and draft picks if it winds up being a two-team deal.
Amick and Nehm describe the Wolves as “an emerging option” for Antetokounmpo. It’s been repeatedly stated that he prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference, but league sources tell the authors that the Bucks are interested in what Minnesota could offer. They hear that Milwaukee would want Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr. and the team’s two tradable first-round picks (No. 29 this year and their 2033 selection). However, the Wolves consider McDaniels off limits, according to Amick and Nehm, along with young center Joan Beringer. It’s also not certain, they add, that Antetokounmpo would sign an extension with Minnesota.
Sources tell Amick and Nehm that some teams are asking the Bucks to present them with offers that they would consider acceptable, rather than going back and forth with proposals. The hope is not only to get clarity from Milwaukee’s side, but to minimize the number of players whose names get leaked to the media. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam indicated last month that the team hopes to resolve Antetokounmpo’s future by the start of the draft, so that leaves 11 more days for the machinations of a deal to play out.
Wolves Upgrade Terrence Shannon Jr. To Available For Game 6
7:10 pm: Shannon will be active tonight, the team announced (via Twitter).
12:54 pm: Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. has been added to the injury report for Game 6 on Friday. According to the team (Twitter link), Shannon is considered questionable to suit up in Minnesota tonight due to a head contusion.
It’s unclear when Shannon sustained the injury, but it rarely bodes well for a player’s availability when he’s a late addition to the injury report just hours before tip-off, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets.
Shannon played a modest role for Minnesota during the regular season, averaging 12.5 minutes per game across 43 appearances, and received multiple DNP-CDs to open the playoffs. But he has emerged as a key part of Chris Finch‘s rotation since scoring 24 points in nearly 35 minutes of action in the team’s close-out game vs. Denver in the first round.
In five games (two starts) against San Antonio in the conference semifinals, Shannon has averaged 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes per contest. He has struggled with his shot against the league’s third-best defense, making just 14-of-48 shots from the floor (29.2%), including 3-of-17 from three-point range (17.6%).
If Shannon doesn’t play on Friday, it would likely result in increased minutes for guards Ayo Dosunmu and Mike Conley, with Bones Hyland perhaps getting a chance to return to the rotation.
The Timberwolves trail the Spurs 3-2 in the series and will have to win at home on Friday in order to force a Game 7 on Sunday.
Mavs Unlikely To Get Permission To Speak To Tim Connelly
Even before the Timberwolves pulled off an unlikely Game 6 win over Denver on Thursday without Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ayo Dosunmu available, the Mavericks had grown pessimistic about the likelihood that they’ll be granted permission to speak to Tim Connelly, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
Connelly, the Timberwolves‘ president of basketball operations, was among the “big names” cited a month ago as potential targets for the Mavs as they seek a new top basketball executive. Several of the candidates identified in that report were viewed as essentially pipe dreams, but there was said to be a sense among some rival teams that Connelly might be open to a new job.
However, multiple reports since then have suggested that Minnesota is motivated to lock up Connelly to a longer-term extension, and Stein suggests Dallas is unlikely to get the opportunity to meet with him.
While it may have been trending in that direction even before Thursday night, the Wolves’ upset victory to advance to the second round likely only increased team ownership’s desire to keep Connelly in his current position.
Rudy Gobert, whom Connelly memorably gave up five first-round picks to acquire during his first year on the job, played a crucial role in slowing down three-time MVP Nikola Jokic during that first-round series, while 2024 first-rounder Terrence Shannon Jr. came up big when thrust into a starring role in Game 6, scoring 24 points and grabbing six rebounds.
Additionally, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid, each of whom has received a long-term commitment from Connelly’s front office, stepped up to help Minnesota advance to round two, and Dosunmu – a 2026 deadline acquisition – had a massive series before missing Game 6 due to a calf injury.
Connelly signed a five-year contract when he was hired by the Timberwolves in 2022, so he has one year left on that deal.
The Mavs, meanwhile, parted ways with their president of basketball operations, Nico Harrison, during the 2025/26 season and had Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi finish the year as co-interim GMs. Both Finley and Riccardi are among the candidates for the permanent job, even as Dallas considers more experienced candidates.
Donte DiVincenzo Suffers Torn Right Achilles
9:41 pm: DiVincenzo’s injury has been confirmed as a torn right Achilles, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The recovery process typically takes about a year, so DiVincenzo may be forced to miss all of next season. He’s under contract for $12.54MM in 2026/27 and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
9:27 pm: The Wolves have also ruled out star guard Anthony Edwards for the rest of the game with a left knee injury after a collision with Denver’s Cameron Johnson late in the second quarter (Twitter video link from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype). Scotto adds that DiVincenzo left the arena in a wheelchair.
8:33 pm: Donte DiVincenzo has been declared out for the rest of Game 4 after suffering a lower right leg injury early in the first quarter, the Timberwolves announced (via Twitter).
DiVincenzo collapsed to the court after attempting a three-pointer a little more than a minute into the contest (Twitter video link from ESPN). He grabbed at the leg and signaled to the team’s bench for assistance.
There was no contact on DiVincenzo’s injury, which raises concerns about possible Achilles damage. However, no diagnosis has been made by the team.
DiVincenzo averaged 14.3 PPG in the first three games of the series and has been particularly effective in Minnesota’s two victories. He had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the Game 2 win at Denver while shooting 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. He followed that up with 15 points, four rebounds, seven assists and four steals in Game 3.
Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland both figure to see expanded roles if DiVincenzo is unable to return during the series, and Terrence Shannon Jr. may be inserted into the rotation as well.
LeBron James, Brandon Ingram Named Players Of Week
Lakers forward LeBron James and Raptors forward Brandon Ingram have been named Players of the Week for the week of April 6-12, according to the league (Twitter links).
The Western Conference winner, James averaged 24.0 points, 9.7 assists and 6.0 rebounds per contest as the Lakers won three straight contests to close the season and clinch home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs despite playing without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. LeBron had back-to-back double-doubles on Thursday and Friday, putting up 26 points and 11 assists in Golden State and then 28 points and 12 assists vs. Phoenix.
Ingram averaged 25.5 points per game on 57.8 percent shooting from the field across four games as the Raptors went 3-1 to wrap up their season and clinched the No. 5 seed in the East. The veteran forward poured in a season-high 38 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists in Thursday’s victory over Miami.
It’s the first Player of the Week award of the season for either James or Ingram, though it’s the 70th time LeBron has won it over the course of his 23-year NBA career. Ingram has now earned the honor five times.
Deni Avdija (Trail Blazers), Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson (Rockets), and Terrence Shannon Jr. (Timberwolves) were the other nominees from the Western Conference, while Paolo Banchero (Magic), Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks) and Jalen Duren (Pistons) were also nominated in the East.
Northwest Notes: Avdija, Edwards, Gobert, Shannon Jr., Braun
Trail Blazers breakout star forward Deni Avdija won’t play on Tuesday against Golden State. He’s sidelined with lower back soreness, the team’s PR department tweets. Avdija, who is averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game, has appeared in all 40 of Portland’s previous games.
Another key Blazers player, forward Jerami Grant, is doubtful due to left Achilles tendonitis.
Here’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards won’t suit up on Tuesday against Milwaukee due to right foot injury maintenance, the team’s PR department tweets. This will be the eighth game Edwards has missed this season — he’ll be ineligible for postseason awards if he misses 10 more games. Center Rudy Gobert will also miss the game — he’s serving a one-game league suspension for accumulating too many flagrant fouls. Regarding Gobert’s suspension, ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes that the one-game ban will cost Gobert $201,149 (Twitter link). The Wolves will also receive a tax variance credit of $100,575.
- Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. is making progress from his left foot abductor hallucis strain but there’s no timetable for his return, according to a team press release. Shannon will miss his 10th straight game this evening. The 2024 first-round pick has appeared in 22 games off the bench this season but has only averaged 4.5 points in 12.8 minutes per game.
- Nuggets guard Christian Braun will miss his second consecutive game due to a left ankle sprain. Braun warmed up to play against Milwaukee on Sunday but didn’t feel right and was ruled out, Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports tweets. It’s a concerning development, considering Braun missed nearly two months of action with an ankle injury before returning earlier this month.
- The Thunder‘s Luguentz Dort is a late scratch for tonight’s key matchup with San Antonio due to left foot soreness, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman tweets.
Terrence Shannon Jr. To Miss At Least Two Weeks With Foot Injury
The Timberwolves announced that Terrence Shannon Jr. will be reevaluated in two weeks after he left Thursday’s game due to soreness in his left foot. An MRI revealed that the second-year shooting guard suffered an abductor hallucis strain, which affects the inner arch of his foot.
Shannon has been seeing modest playing time in Minnesota’s backcourt rotation this season, logging 12.8 minutes per night in 22 games. He’s averaging 4.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest, and while his overall shooting percentage has dropped from 48.2% to 39.5% since his rookie year, his three-point shooting has improved from 35.5% to 40.5%.
It’s the second time this season that Shannon has been sidelined by a left foot issue. He suffered a fifth metatarsal bone bruise in early November that kept him out of action for nine games. The Wolves didn’t indicate whether the current injury is related to the previous one.
Minnesota selected Shannon with the 27th pick in the 2024 draft. He and fellow ’24 first-round pick Rob Dillingham have struggled to make an impact so far, even with Mike Conley seeing a diminished role at age 38. Shannon’s injury could lead to more playing time for Dillingham, or coach Chris Finch could opt to give Shannon’s minutes to Jaylen Clark, another second-year guard.
Wolves Notes: DiVincenzo, Gobert, Shannon, Edwards, Injuries
The season that Donte DiVincenzo spent with the Splash Brothers helped him build the confidence to take late-game shots like the ones he hit against the Warriors on Friday night, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. DiVincenzo drilled a three-pointer to tie the score with 1:48 remaining and another 80 seconds later to put the game out of reach as the Timberwolves spoiled Stephen Curry‘s return from injury.
“I didn’t shoot the ball well at all tonight, but I could care less if I’m being honest with you,” DiVincenzo said. “My year here changed my entire mindset. Playing with that dude over there, 30 (Curry), it just changed my mindset on my misses, my mindset on my approach. I want the big shot at the end of the game. That’s the mindset I have.”
As Krawczynski notes, DiVincenzo was looking for a new NBA home when he signed a one-year deal with Golden State in the summer of 2022. He had been a starter on Milwaukee’s 2021 championship team, but he was removed from the starting lineup the following season and traded to Sacramento halfway through. Joining the Warriors gave him the chance to learn from Curry and Klay Thompson, picking up their practice habits and their fearlessness about taking clutch shots.
“It changed me, my approach, my mentality, how I process the game, how I live with negatives in my career,” DiVincenzo said. “I think it changed my entire trajectory of my career, and after that, I’ve been who I am.”
There’s more on the Wolves:
- Another flagrant foul for Rudy Gobert any time this season will trigger an automatic suspension, according to Chris Hine of The Star Tribune (subscription required). Gobert was whistled for flagrants in back-to-back games over the past week, putting him one flagrant-foul point away from a one-game suspension and two points away from a two-game suspension. He disputed the call in Monday’s game when he was assessed a flagrant foul for making “significant” contact to the ribs of Phoenix center Mark Williams while Williams was airborne. “There was an intent to foul, but I don’t feel like it was meant to really hit him in the rib to hurt him,” Gobert said. “It was more like to take away his momentum and contest the shot. They deemed that it was winding up. I didn’t feel like it. I just felt like it was just maybe a very physical foul. But I hope he’s doing OK. It seems like he was doing OK after that. It was just, to me, a physical basketball play.”
- In the same Star Tribune story, head coach Chris Finch pointed to Terrence Shannon Jr.‘s defensive habits as the reason for the second-year guard’s inconsistent play. “It’s largely rooted in readiness,” Finch explained. “He’s a great athlete. He’s probably spent a lot of his time making up ground with his closing speed. It’s a dangerous habit to get into at this level, the guys that have either equal or greater athleticism, but also teams that execute well and can take advantage of that. So his screen navigation is poor, and that puts him even further behind the play.”
- Anthony Edwards missed Friday’s game due to soreness in his right foot and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s home matchup with Sacramento. Bones Hyland, who left Friday’s contest with a right knee contusion, is also questionable, while Mike Conley has been ruled out with a right Achilles issue.
Timberwolves Have Inquired On Coby White
The Timberwolves, who remain on the lookout for an upgrade in their backcourt, have inquired on Bulls guard Coby White, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
Although the February 5 trade deadline is still almost two months away, Cowley hears from a source that Minnesota would like to make a deal to add another ball-handler sooner rather than later, if possible. The Bulls, on the other hand, likely aren’t ready to do anything drastic yet despite losing 14 of 18 games (including seven in a row) since their 5-0 start.
Mike Conley was the full-time starting point guard in Minnesota for most of the past two seasons, but the 38-year-old was moved to the second unit this fall in favor of Donte DiVincenzo. With Conley past his prime, DiVincenzo not a true point guard, and 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham not ready to take on a significant role, the Wolves have essentially made Anthony Edwards their de facto point guard and would like to get him some help.
White isn’t exactly a true point guard either, but he’s a talented scorer and play-maker who averaged 20.4 points and 4.5 assists per game last season on .453/.370/.902 shooting. He has been limited to seven appearances so far in 2025/26 due primarily to a calf strain that delayed his debut.
White is earning $12.9MM on an expiring contract, and while he’s extension-eligible, he isn’t expected to agree to a new deal prior to free agency, since league rules would limit the Bulls to offering up to about $87MM over four years. The 25-year-old presumably believes he can do better than that on the open market with a strong contract year.
Cowley mentions DiVincenzo ($12MM), second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. ($2.7MM), and a draft pick as a possible package for White. K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (YouTube link) recently identified those same two players as candidates to be included in a hypothetical White trade, noting that the Bulls had interest in Shannon – a Chicago native – ahead of the 2024 draft.
Johnson also suggested that the Bulls are in “wait and see” mode and may seriously pursue any deals until closer to the trade deadline. Still, it’s worth noting that the Wolves don’t currently have a tradable first-round pick, so if the Bulls wanted some sort of draft compensation from Minnesota in a deal for White, it would have to be second-rounders and/or pick swaps.
The Wolves have been linked to other guards since the season began, including being identified a few weeks ago as one of the teams to inquire on Grizzlies star Ja Morant. However, a player like White, who has a salary in the range of the mid-level exception, could be a more appealing target based on their potential outgoing salary-matching pieces. Acquiring a maximum-salary player like Morant would require them to part with at least one of Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, or Naz Reid.
Timberwolves Notes: McDaniels, Edwards, Shannon, Beringer, Conley
Forward Jaden McDaniels scored 27 points as the Timberwolves notched their fifth straight victory on Saturday, a 109-106 win over the Clippers. He is averaging a career-high 16 points per game while shooting 48.5% from three-point distance.
McDaniels has been primarily viewed as a top-notch perimeter defender during his career but now his offensive game is coming along, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic details. McDaniels is applying some of the lessons he learned from Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard when they worked out together in the offseason.
“Just not letting the defense speed you up, play at your pace at all times,” McDaniels said. “And that’s something I took from him and just staying at your own pace. I don’t want to give out too much because, you know.”
His teammates are appreciative of his all-around contributions.
“What he’s bringing to us is huge,” guard Donte DiVincenzo said. “Throughout the game, sometimes we’re all looking for a spark and he delivers. Sometimes we’re looking to put our foot on the neck and he delivers. And sometimes we’re looking for just some steadiness throughout the game. He’s been doing everything we’ve asked him to do and what’s expected of him.”
We have more on the Timberwolves:
- Star guard Anthony Edwards and Terrence Shannon Jr. are listed as questionable to play against the Suns on Monday due to illness, Krawczynski tweets. Neither player attending the team’s shootaround this morning.
- Adjusting to the NBA game is just one of the things first-round pick Joan Beringer is learning this season. The French-born center is also trying to get comfortable with the English language while taking driving lessons. The Star Tribune’s Chris Hine talked to Beringer and some of the team’s coaching staff about the challenges the 19-year-old rookie has faced. Beringer has appeared in nine games off the bench.
- Veteran point guard Mike Conley has been coming off the bench for Minnesota this season, but he has been on the floor during crunch time in four of the past five games that were within five points in the last five minutes, John Schuhmann of NBA.com notes. Conley made two free throws to tie Saturday’s game with the Clippers in the final minute, then set up Naz Reid’s game-winning three-pointer by attacking a close-out and getting into the paint.