Podcast Summary: "Hoops Tonight – Giannis Trade Updates: Steph & Warriors Best Offer, Will Wolves & Knicks Get Enough Assets?"

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – January 31, 2026

Overview

In this episode of "Hoops Tonight," host Jason Timpf provides an in-depth analysis of the latest Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors rocking the NBA ahead of the deadline. He breaks down the feasibility and ramifications of teams like Minnesota, New York, and Golden State making a push for the superstar. The discussion includes a critical look at potential trade constructions, the risks and rewards for each franchise, and what factors Giannis himself may weigh. Timpf also dissects the possible pivot moves for Golden State and debates the Lakers’ interest in DeAndre Hunter. The central focus is the high-stakes calculus facing contenders looking to balance short-term title windows with long-term sustainability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Minnesota Timberwolves: Risking Sustainability for Giannis?

[03:20-13:40]

• Feasibility Issues:

  • Both Minnesota and New York lack sufficient draft capital to land Giannis directly and would need to pursue complicated multi-team trades centered around role players like Jaden McDaniels, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, or Mitchell Robinson.
  • "It's difficult to imagine a scenario where the draft compensation you get for a McHale or for a Jaden McDaniels is also enough to get you Giannis and 10A right." (Host, 04:59)

• Would it Work for Minnesota?

  • Trading McDaniels, their 25-year-old elite 3-and-D role player having a career year, plus possibly others like Dante DiVincenzo or Nas Reid, for an aging and injury-prone Giannis, is a gamble.
  • "Your chances of sustainability greatly diminish... Jaden McDaniels is the closest thing on that Minnesota roster to a guy that you feel certain can be in the trenches with Ant [Anthony Edwards] winning high level playoff games for at least the next half decade." (Host, 07:56)
  • Losing multiple core pieces may diminish long-term hope, especially with key contributors aging out and the West's young powers (OKC, San Antonio) on the rise.

New York Knicks: Calculated Risk or Disaster Reboot?

[18:32-22:00]

• Context & Landscape:

  • Knicks are currently not a clear title contender but are seen as top candidates in the East: "If I had to make a pick today for who was going to win the East, I'd probably pick the Knicks. I'm not super confident in that pick...but among a bunch of flawed candidates, I think they have the best overall playoff package." (Host, 18:46)

• Potential Pitfalls:

  • Trading core wings like Bridges, Hart, Anunoby, or Robinson for the extra picks might remake the Knicks into a two-star team with not enough support, similar to Giannis’ last stretch in Milwaukee with Damian Lillard.
  • "You run the risk of rebuilding the Damian Lillard/Giannis Milwaukee Bucks—having an elite guard plus Giannis and nowhere near enough two-way talent around them to win four playoff rounds." (Host, 19:42)
  • Ultimately, it depends on the team’s self-assessment: if they don’t believe in the current group, the risk makes more sense.

• Assessment on Giannis as a Target:

  • He isn’t as young as a Luka Doncic nor as old as a Paul George—"It's in the middle...Extremely high upside, but some real age and injury risk. This guy who's missed eight of his team's last 16 playoff games, he's had multiple calf injuries." (Host, 20:59)

Should Milwaukee Wait Until the Offseason?

[22:01-25:45]

• Why Wait?

  • More teams can join the bidding in the summer due to salary rules and additional 2033 picks becoming available.

• Giannis’s Perspective:

  • Timpf argues the Bucks owe Giannis the respect not to make him wait: "The idea of sacrificing yet another year of my prime...just so the Bucks can maybe get a different young player they like...I think that's downright disrespectful to Giannis...Do right by Giannis, a guy who put his body on the line for the better part of a decade." (Host, 24:10)

Golden State Warriors: Best Basketball Fit, But Fleeting Window?

[25:46-29:55]

• Basketball Rationale:

  • The Giannis-Steph fit is a dream: "I think Giannis and Steph are a beautiful basketball fit. I think… that team would contend but not be some sort of unbeatable juggernaut..." (Host, 26:24)

• Potential Giannis Hesitations:

  • Giannis could be traded again in 2–3 years once Steph retires, making long-term stability questionable versus joining a team like Minnesota or New York with a younger core.
  • "If Giannis goes to Golden State, he's probably getting traded again in two or three years when Steph retires…they don't have the type of foundation to keep Giannis in the Bay." (Host, 27:32)

• Host's Stance:

  • While recognizing the risk, Timpf is all-in on the Warriors landing Giannis: "Go win a title with Steph and stamp yourself in basketball eternity. Don't worry about the next part of it." (Host, 28:16)

Golden State Contingency: The Wiggins & Anthony Davis Backup Plan

[33:20-37:10]

• Pivot Possibility:

  • If the Bucks drag this process to summer and Giannis becomes unattainable, Timpf suggests Golden State pursue Anthony Davis (health-permitting) and Andrew Wiggins as a realistic secondary path.
  • "Anthony Davis being the obvious best trade target for Golden State if Giannis is off the table...Still top 7 or 8 in the world [in the playoffs] when healthy." (Host, 34:31)

• Why It's Affordable:

  • Both Wiggins and Davis' perceived value is discounted due to contract size, age, and injury history: "Wiggins is a better basketball player right now than Herb Jones, but he's less expensive because he's in his 30s...Anthony Davis is available at the price point because he's a superstar level talent who's dealt with injury." (Host, 36:04)

• Warriors’ Reality:

  • Golden State has a “real shot at Giannis,” but must have a measured fallback if not.

Lakers Trade Target: DeAndre Hunter – Worth It? Only Under Certain Terms

[37:12-40:29]

• Hunter's Downsides:

  • Contract (owed $25M next season) and effort level make him a questionable asset: "He's not exactly the scrappiest 3 and D guy...He's viewed as somewhat of a negative asset right now because of that $25 million contract next season. He's had injury issues..." (Host, 37:26)

• Host’s Verdict:

  • "If you can add DeAndre Hunter into your rotation for basically nothing—no draft compensation and a bunch of expiring salaries...it's a simple talent upgrade." (Host, 38:44)
  • But, don’t give up real assets, especially Rui Hachimura or valuable picks, for him: "If Rob Pelinka ends up flipping Rui Hachimura for DeAndre Hunter this year, I think that would be a huge mistake for the Lakers and detrimental to what their goals are over the coming seasons." (Host, 40:23)

Notable Quotes

• "Your chances of sustainability greatly diminish... Jaden McDaniels is the closest thing on that Minnesota roster to a guy that you feel certain can be in the trenches with Ant." (Host, 07:56)
• "You run the risk of rebuilding the Damian Lillard/Giannis Milwaukee Bucks—having an elite guard plus Giannis and nowhere near enough two-way talent around them..." (Host, 19:42)
• "It's in the middle...Extremely high upside, but some real age and injury risk." (Host, 20:59)
• "The idea of sacrificing yet another year of my prime...I think that's downright disrespectful to Giannis." (Host, 24:10)
• "Go win a title with Steph and stamp yourself in basketball eternity. Don't worry about the next part of it." (Host, 28:16)
• "Wiggins is a better basketball player right now than Herb Jones, but he's less expensive because he's in his 30s...Anthony Davis is available at the price point because he's a superstar level talent who's dealt with injury." (Host, 36:04)
• "If Rob Pelinka ends up flipping Rui Hachimura for DeAndre Hunter this year, I think that would be a huge mistake for the Lakers..." (Host, 40:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:20 – Minnesota’s risk/reward with Giannis trades
• 07:56 – Jaden McDaniels’ importance to Wolves’ long-term success
• 13:40 – Timberwolves as top-tier contenders as constructed
• 18:32 – Knicks’ trade calculus vs. their upside in 2026
• 20:59 – Giannis’s risk profile as a target
• 22:01 – Should Milwaukee wait for the offseason?
• 24:10 – Why it’s unfair to make Giannis wait for a trade
• 25:46 – Why Golden State is the best fit for Giannis
• 28:16 – The argument for Giannis to bet on the Warriors window
• 33:20 – Warriors’ contingency plans: Anthony Davis & Andrew Wiggins
• 36:04 – The reality of acquiring distressed assets
• 37:12 – Should Lakers pursue DeAndre Hunter and on what terms?
• 40:23 – Why packaging Rui for Hunter would be a mistake

Conclusion

This episode delivers sharp, nuanced commentary on the rapidly evolving NBA landscape surrounding the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. Timpf carefully evaluates each suitor’s position, the trade-off between present pursuit and future viability, and the broader league consequences. The Warriors are painted as the most exciting option for fans, but only if the deal happens soon. The Wolves and Knicks trades are shown to be more complicated risks with possibly dangerous long-term downsides. Practicality and respect for Giannis’s legacy are frequent themes, and the host closes with pointed advice for the Lakers’ front office.