The Athletic NBA Daily — January 30, 2026

Have the Wolves Solved the Thunder? + Giannis Trade Ideas

Hosts: Dave DuFour (B), Esfandiar “Es” Baraheni (C)
Special Guest: Eric Nehm (A)
Main Segments:

1. Timberwolves' win over the Thunder and broader NBA game checks
2. In-depth discussion with Eric Nehm about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future and trade scenarios

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with a fast-paced recap of a loaded NBA slate, focusing on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ commanding win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and what it says about both teams. The main segment features a comprehensive conversation with Bucks beat writer Eric Nehm, unpacking years of Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors, the Bucks’ journey, and current realistic trade scenarios given Milwaukee’s situation.

1. Have the Wolves Solved the Thunder?

[01:27–05:15]

Key Points

• Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Oklahoma City Thunder 123–111 in a game that didn’t feel as close as the score.
• Wolves "own this matchup right now" due to their physicality and engagement (B, [02:37]).
• Thunder lacking energy, likely impacted by injuries and missing key players like AJ Mitchell and Jalen Williams (C, [03:17]).
• Both discuss OKC’s “math problem”: not taking or making enough three-pointers compared to opponents like Minnesota (C, [04:06]).
  • T-Wolves attempted 47 threes (made twice as many as OKC’s 31 attempts).
  • Broader trend: good teams (including the Rockets, Raptors, Magic, Pistons) are struggling with three-point volume.

Notable Quotes

• "It's rare that you watch a Thunder game and you feel like, wow, is everyone healthy? Like, is there a flu going around this team?" – Dave DuFour ([02:50])
• "There's a math problem in the NBA." – Es Baraheni ([03:31])
• "You have to take them to make them." – Dave DuFour ([04:51])

2. Game Highlights and Player Performances

[05:15–10:33]

Sixers vs. Kings

• Sixers squeezed out a 113-111 win over the Kings, needing a Tyrese Maxey game-winner despite Joel Embiid’s 37 points (B, [05:31]).
• Embiid: five 30+ point games in six appearances. Played 35 minutes—a positive sign for his health.

Notable Quote

• "On the game winner, it was an action between Joel and Maxey... we've seen those two dominate all season like that." – Es Baraheni ([06:25])

Suns vs. Pistons

• Dylan Brooks exploded for 40 points in a blowout win for Phoenix over a healthy Detroit team (B, [06:34]; C, [06:58]).
• Suns succeed without Devin Booker; Brooks steps up in his absence.

Notable Quote

• "If you want to win, get Dylan Brooks on your team." – Es Baraheni ([07:46])

Hornets vs. [Opponent not named, but game features Con Knueppel and Cooper Flagg]

• Hornets (now 21-28) defeat another young team in dramatic fashion.
• Rookie Con Knueppel: career-high 34 points, 8-of-12 from three, hit game-winning free throws.
• Cooper Flagg, teenager, scored 49 (most ever by an NBA teenager), but his late turnover led to Hornets’ win (C, [08:44]).

Notable Quotes

• "Teenagers with multiple 40-point games: LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and now Cooper Flagg." – Es Baraheni ([09:16])
• "49 is the most by any teenager. Ever in NBA history." – Dave DuFour ([09:26])

Rookie of the Year Debate

• Flagg’s workload as a rookie more challenging than Knueppel’s due to less team support (C, [10:17]).
• "Brandon Miller and Lamelo Ball, they attract a lot of attention. Makes your life a little bit easier." – Dave DuFour ([10:33])

3. Giannis Trade: Deja Vu and the State of the Bucks

[12:46–32:25]

The Never-Ending Giannis Watch

• Eric Nehm joins to revisit the annual tradition of speculating on Giannis’ future, dating back to 2015 (A, [13:09]).
• Eight years of speculation, always circling the extension decision. Now, new pressure as Bucks stumble and the possibility of actually trading Giannis becomes real for the first time (A, [14:39]).

Notable Quotes

• "This is the closest we’ve ever gotten, right?" – Es Baraheni ([14:36])
• "The Bucks just don’t listen. If you call about Giannis... make [your offer] even bigger and we’re still going to say no." – Eric Nehm ([14:53])
• "It’s not that he hasn’t won one yet. It’s that he wants more." – Eric Nehm ([17:25])

Why the Situation Has Changed

• Bucks have had nearly a decade of title contention, but recent seasons are marked by injuries and earlier playoff exits (A, [15:38]).
• 2020 was the last time it felt truly precarious, but now the Bucks' struggles align with Giannis’ extension window (A, [14:39]).
• Giannis’ legacy and hunger for all-time greatness loom over every decision.

4. Should the Bucks Trade Giannis Now?

[18:32–27:57]

Logic vs. Reality

• There’s logic in waiting until the offseason—more bidders, less salary cap restriction, picks clarity (A, [24:14]).
• Several franchises (Miami, New York) linked for years aren’t actually prepared with assets: "How did you fail? Why don't you have a plan?" – Eric Nehm ([25:28])
• Milwaukee has acquired (or soon could acquire) some valuable picks, either via luck or lottery jumping, potentially giving them a better rebuild foundation if they delay a trade (A, [19:05]).

Teams in Play

• Logical favorites (Oklahoma City, Houston, San Antonio) are not necessarily incentivized to push now—would wait for summer.
• Some teams actually in best position asset-wise (e.g. Hawks) aren’t interested in fast-tracking their rebuild (A, [33:06]).
• Golden State: picks would be "in the 20s" for years—not actually valuable for a true rebuild (A, [36:15]).
• Miami/NYK: no formidable trade packages. "Spent hours on each, trying to find a way...it's really difficult" (A, [35:56]).
• Wolves, Blazers mentioned as creative possibilities; Blazers in particular might be pivotal as pick-reroute partners.

On the "Dark Horse" Scenario

• Unlikely a non-contending team makes a temporary play, but a GM might gamble on two playoff runs plus the hope they could convince Giannis to stay (A, [28:30]).
• "With Giannis... that dude is going to play hard every single night for whatever team he’s on." – Eric Nehm ([29:21])

5. The Big Picture and Legacy

[27:57–39:09]

• The Bucks went all-in for years; although it isn’t working now, they did “everything in their power to keep this guy happy and in contention." – Eric Nehm ([22:34])
• No organization regrets keeping Giannis as long as possible; his desire for more, not lack of success, drives any change.
• Odds are a trade won't happen by the upcoming deadline due to logic, but "you never know" in the NBA crucible (A, [39:01]).

Notable Quotes

• "Logic dictates we shouldn't see something before the deadline, but you never know what can happen." – Eric Nehm ([39:09])
• "We’re going to be making fake Giannis trades every spring for another seven years." – Dave DuFour ([39:35])

Key Timestamps & Segments

• 01:27: Episode start, T-Wolves/Thunder focus
• 03:35: Three-point “math problem” for OKC and other teams
• 05:31: Sixers-Kings, Maxey game-winner
• 06:34: Dylan Brooks’ surprise 40 for Suns
• 08:17: Hornets’ rookie Knueppel’s breakout; Cooper Flagg’s record-setting game
• 12:46: Eric Nehm joins, Giannis trade segment starts
• 14:39: Why this feels like the closest the Bucks have been to a Giannis trade
• 19:05: Can Bucks patch things up or is Giannis definitely gone?
• 24:14: Why logic says to wait for offseason; who actually has trade assets?
• 32:03: Who actually has the best Giannis package? The real list
• 35:56: The trouble with finding real (especially Heat or Knicks) packages

Memorable Quotes

• "It's rare that you watch a Thunder game and you feel like, wow, is everyone healthy? Like, is there a flu going around this team?" – Dave DuFour ([02:50])
• "There's a math problem in the NBA." – Es Baraheni ([03:31])
• "It’s not that he hasn’t won one yet. It’s that he wants more." – Eric Nehm ([17:25])
• "How did you fail? Why don't you have a plan?" – Eric Nehm, on Heat/Knicks’ lack of preparation ([25:28])
• "We’re going to be making fake Giannis trades every spring for another seven years." – Dave DuFour ([39:35])
• "Logic dictates we shouldn't see something before the deadline, but you never know what can happen." – Eric Nehm ([39:09])

Summary

This episode expertly balances game recaps and big-picture NBA talk. The discussion opens with tactical, smart analysis of the Wolves’ stranglehold over the Thunder via three-point dominance and defense, with shoutouts to breakout performances across the league (Maxey, Embiid, Brooks, Flagg, and Knueppel). The centerpiece, Eric Nehm’s segment, delves deeper into Bucks/ Giannis than ever before—unpacking Milwaukee’s decade-long gamble, why this truly is a breaking point for the Giannis era, which teams could realistically make a move, and why most rumored destinations simply aren’t set up to trade for him. But as always in the NBA, the experts close by acknowledging that logic only goes so far: "you never know" what might happen next.