Latest Giannis Trade Rumors on Wolves' Pursuit to Help Anthony Edwards amid Celtics, Heat Buzz

The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat have been rumored to be the top teams pursuing a trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it sounds like a Western Conference contender was also recently in the mix.

NBA insider Marc Stein described the Minnesota Timberwolves as one of "the most ardent Antetokounmpo trade suitors in February" and reported that they "quietly 'circled back to the Bucks this week to see what it would take to make another run at pairing Antetokounmpo with Anthony Edwards.'" However, league sources told Stein that the Bucks want "even more now than the teams discussed in the winter," leaving the Timberwolves out of the running to land the two-time NBA MVP.

"Is Minnesota still in the hunt? Not as of Friday," Stein reported.

Earlier this month, The Athletic's Sam Amick and Eric Nehm described the Timberwolves as "an emerging option for the Bucks" while they seek a trade suitor for Antetokounmpo. League sources said at the time that Milwaukee would be "interested in what Minnesota has to offer," suggesting that the team would want "a package including Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr. and their two tradable first-round picks."

However, Amick and Nehm noted that the Timberwolves had "indicated that McDaniels is off-limits." Also, Antetokounmpo's preference to be traded to an Eastern Conference team was a factor in negotiations, as it was "unclear as of yet whether he'd be willing to sign a long-term deal with Minnesota."

While Anteokounmpo may no longer be a trade target for the Timberwolves, they are expected to be aggressive in revamping their roster this offseason. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto recently reported that Minnesota has gauged the trade value of Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and its No. 28 overall pick in Tuesday's NBA draft.

The Timberwolves have one of the NBA's top young stars in Edwards, so adding more talent around him will be their top priority this offseason as they gear up to chase another spot in the playoffs next season.