The Minnesota Timberwolves are evaluating the trade value of Julius Randle and Naz Reid as part of exploratory talks centered on a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster.
NBA insider Evan Sidery reported Monday, February 2, that Minnesota is gauging interest in both frontcourt players as the Milwaukee Bucks continue to engage teams ahead of the trade deadline.
“The Timberwolves are gauging the trade value of Julius Randle and Naz Reid for a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster,” Sidery wrote, adding that Minnesota would likely need to include Jaden McDaniels and significant draft compensation to meet Milwaukee’s threshold.
Randle, 31, is in the first year of a three-year, $100 million contract that includes a player option in the final season. He has been a primary scoring option alongside Anthony Edwards, averaging 22.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while starting all 50 games this season.
Reid, 26, signed a five-year, $125 million deal last offseason with a player option in the final year. The versatile big man is producing 14.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting 39.7 percent from three, providing spacing off the bench and in closing lineups.
McDaniels’ inclusion would raise the cost significantly for Minnesota. The 25-year-old forward remains one of the league’s more valuable defensive wings, averaging 14.9 points while shooting 44.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The Timberwolves currently sit fifth in the Western Conference at 31-19 and have won four straight games. Any move involving Randle and Reid would directly impact their frontcourt depth behind Rudy Gobert.
Milwaukee’s stance has kept pressure on interested teams. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday that the Bucks remain actively engaged with suitors and have issued counteroffers.
“Over the weekend, the Bucks remain engaged with NBA teams that have interest and given aggressive proposals,” Charania said, noting the importance of draft capital or young players.
Antetokounmpo continues to produce at an elite level, averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 64.5 percent shooting. Despite that output, Milwaukee sits 12th in the East at 18-29.
Charania emphasized the timing factor as the deadline approaches Thursday. “The Bucks have to manage at risk or reward whether you do a deal now or wait for offseason when Giannis only has one year left,” he said.
For Minnesota, the calculus centers on pairing Antetokounmpo with Edwards, who is averaging 29.4 points per game, while balancing roster continuity and draft equity. The coming days will determine whether the Timberwolves push further or hold their current core.
