Minnesota has long resisted trade inquiries for Jaden McDaniels, and a new report suggests the Timberwolves would only consider moving the 25-year-old forward in the rarest of circumstances.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, rival teams have consistently checked on McDaniels’ availability, but Minnesota has effectively placed him in a category reserved for only two players in the league.
“Other teams have always called on rising swingman Jaden McDaniels,” Scotto reported Saturday. “Minnesota has made him essentially untradable unless it was for a blockbuster trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic.”
The report underscores how highly the Timberwolves value McDaniels as they attempt to remain among the Western Conference contenders. Minnesota finished 49-33 during the 2025-26 regular season, earning the No. 6 seed before advancing to the Western Conference semifinals, where it fell to the eventual conference champion San Antonio Spurs in six games.
McDaniels played a significant role in that success. The versatile forward averaged 14.8 points per game while continuing to handle many of Minnesota’s toughest defensive assignments. At 25 years old and under contract through the 2028-29 season after signing a five-year, $131 million extension, McDaniels offers a combination of age, defensive versatility and contractual certainty that is difficult to replace.
His name has surfaced recently in connection with potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade discussions. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, Milwaukee would require McDaniels as the centerpiece of any serious Timberwolves offer for the two-time MVP. A reported framework would also include Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr. and two first-round picks.
That asking price reflects Antetokounmpo’s stature around the league. Despite Milwaukee’s disappointing 32-50 season and failure to reach the postseason, Antetokounmpo remained one of the NBA’s elite performers. He averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 62.4% from the field.
For Minnesota, the dilemma is obvious. Antetokounmpo is one of the few players capable of justifying the loss of a foundational two-way wing entering his prime. Scotto’s report indicates the Timberwolves place Jokic in that same category and no one else.
