Analyst urges Timberwolves to make blockbuster trade

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Analyst urges Timberwolves to make blockbuster trade to help Anthony Edwards

By Anne Erickson | Last updated May 14, 2026 9:17 AM ET

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are pushing hard against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, but find themselves down 3-2 in the series heading into their matchup on Friday.

On Tuesday, Wembanyama wowed the hometown crowd with 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Meanwhile, Edwards had a rough game and notched just 20 points.

The Timberwolves are seen as a contender, but with the team on the brink of playoff elimination, NBA analysts are starting to make noise about what this team needs to do during the offseason to finally go all the way. Minnesota is also being talked about as a team that should make a blockbuster trade deal to help Edwards out.

During an appearance on ESPN's "First Take," Kendrick Perkins suggested a few teams make a serious attempt to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. One of those teams was the Boston Celtics, but the other one was the Timberwolves.

"If I'm Minnesota, I'm going after Giannis. You have to make Anthony Edwards happy."@KendrickPerkins thinks the Timberwolves should trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/wi68xmNw6Z
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 13, 2026

Kendrick Perkins believes the Timberwolves should trade for Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo

"If I'm Minnesota, I'm going after Giannis," Perkins said. "You've got to find a way to make Anthony Edwards happy. He can't continue doing his part, and the others around him are not getting it done."

"And on top of that, don't let Karl-Anthony Towns get to the promised land before him and win the NBA championship after they traded him, the heat is really gonna be on."

Once the offseason officially kicks in for all of the NBA teams, there's no question that Antetokounmpo will be one of the hottest names on the trade block, so long as the Bucks are willing to make a deal. According to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, the Bucks are "open for business" and welcoming trade calls and offers for the star player.

Antetokounmpo would be a blessing for the Timberwolves or any NBA team that gets him. But the question is, what are the Bucks going to want for him? If it's too much, the Timberwolves would be better off trying other lanes.

Anne Erickson

Anne Erickson is an award-winning news reporter covering the NFL, NBA, college sports and more for Yardbarker. Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and other sports, and her work has been published by Fox Sports, ESPN and Newsweek, among others. She has also interviewed a bevy of big names in sports and entertainment, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Lions edge Aidan Hutchinson and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott

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