In the wake of the ESPN report that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are both open to parting ways via trade ahead of the NBA’s Feb. 5 trade deadline, Minnesota’s name was mentioned too frequently by league insiders to ignore.

ESPN’s Shams Charania cited the Timberwolves as a potential suitor, while Brian Windhorst from the same network said it’s Antetokounmpo who has interest in Minnesota.

That matters. The fact Kevin Durant wasn’t thrilled about playing for the Timberwolves dissuaded Tim Connelly and Co. from fully pursuing a trade for the aging superstar over the summer. This front office only wants players who want to be here.

Which limits the field. Not everyone wants to play in Minnesota. If Antetokounmpo — who has spent his entire NBA career in Wisconsin — is indeed intrigued by the possibility of moving one state away, a major box is checked.

And Connelly, who traded for Gobert and attempted to move mountains to acquire Durant, has demonstrated a propensity to go after the league’s top players, when available. So, a lot lines up here.

Pairing a 31-year-old Antetokounmpo, an undisputed, top-four player in the NBA, with Anthony Edwards — a top-seven player in his own right — would put Minnesota near the top of the NBA championship contention conversation for years to come.

Such a move would push Minnesota from a team that “might” reach an NBA Finals over the next two or three years to a team that would be favored to reach them.

That alone probably makes a deal worth doing, but exactly which deal is always the question. Milwaukee is reportedly seeking the moon and the stars in return for its franchise pillar, who brought the Bucks a championship in 2021. As it should.

NBA salary cap constraints complicate any deal, but Minnesota has a number of salaries that can be aggregated to help the financial dots connect. Even if it looks impossible, recent history suggests where there’s a will in these instances, there’s a way.

Some combination of Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert can be made to work.

If the Bucks, or another team likely with more available draft capital itching to join the dance as a third partner, coveted McDaniels and Reid, would Minnesota be willing to give away two of its apparent near and long-term Edwards’ running mates?

If the answer is “No,” it’s tough to see a deal reaching the finish line — especially given the number of other organizations interested in the transcendent forward. According to reports, the Wolves are boxing the likes of the Knicks, Heat and Warriors in this fight, with Minnesota having no valuable draft compensation with which to barter.

But as difficult as it would be for the Wolves to say goodbye to two of the organization’s greatest development stories — who are still ascending talents with yet to be determined ceilings — a player of Antetokounmpo’s stature may be the rare exception that produces a “Yes.”

Even if that meant saying some hard “Goodbyes.”

Even if that meant moving forward with a clunky roster for the duration of this season.

Even if that meant re-thinking the franchise’s entire plan for the next five to 10 years.

Because chances to acquire championship-caliber, No. 1 players still in their prime don’t come around often.

Not for Minnesota. Not for anyone.

When these opportunities knock, you almost have no choice but to answer.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrates with guard AJ Green (20) after hitting a last-second game-winning basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Todd Monken sold himself to team owner Jimmy Haslam and Browns general manager Andrew Berry.

Now comes the hard part for Monken — convincing a weary, skeptical fan base that he is the right choice to be the head coach of a franchise that has won only one playoff game in 27 years. A franchise that has had just three winning seasons — 2002, 2020 and 2023 — since 1999. A franchise that hasn’t boasted back-to-back winning seasons since it strung four together from 1986-89.

There is no question Monken, 59, has a brilliant offensive mind. He proved it as offensive coordinator at the University of Georgia when he helped the Bulldogs win the CFP national championship in 2021 and 2022. He spent the last three seasons as OC and calling plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson passed for 4,172 yards and 41 touchdown passes in 2024.

The head coach of an NFL team has to command the respect of all 53 players, plus his coaching staff and front office personnel. Maybe Monken can lead the entire building at 76 Lou Groza Boulevard. But he is going to have a difficult time getting defensive players on his side.

Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was a finalist for the job. Haslam and Berry decided Monken would be better. Schwartz is steaming mad because he was snubbed, according to reports — angry enough to want to leave the Browns despite being under contract for 2026.

Jim Schwartz directs a drill June 6. (Ron Schwane – The Associated Press)

Berry and Haslam had a long time to think about the ramifications of their decision before they announced it on Jan. 28. Browns players on offense know Schwartz is a demanding but fair taskmaster. They would have had no problem following Schwartz as their leader. They saw for three years how Schwartz got the best from his players on defense.

“I don’t know what’s going to be in the future,” Myles Garrett said the Friday before the season ended. “Would I like to play under Jim? Would I like to keep the team and for us to improve? Absolutely. But these are things that are handled by people who sign my checks, so they make bigger decisions than I can account for.

“So I’m going to allow them to do what they do — give my opinions if they ask for it. And I got to rock with whoever they have here. But I love Jim, and I love playing for him.”

Warming up to Monken could be difficult because he does not exude fire the way Schwartz does.

Schwartz has already been linked to the defensive coordinator job with the 49ers. He might take defensive assistants with him. Linebackers coach Jason Tarver and defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire would be sorely missed.

The Rams have requested an interview with Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone. The Browns need a new offensive coordinator because Tommy Rees left to be the Falcons’ OC under Kevin Stefanski.

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No one would describe being an assistant coach for the Browns as a springboard to job elevations in the NFL. Assembling a quality coaching staff could be difficult for Monken, although he has already taken a positive first step by hiring George Warhop as offensive line coach. Warhop coached the offensive line for the Ravens for the last two years.

Monken’s track record on offense makes him a better candidate than Schwartz to get more from quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who in 2026 will get a fresh start in his second NFL season. The Browns still haven’t given up on Deshaun Watson. Watson, acquired in the disastrous trade with the Texans 46 months ago, hasn’t played well since 2020, when he was in Houston.

Monken is taking over a team that went 8-26 the last two seasons and an offense in total disrepair. The Browns are more than one offseason away from being contenders.

The 19th full-time head coach in Browns history, the 11th since 1999, might not be introduced to Cleveland at a news conference in Berea until early next week. I just hope Monken doesn’t make a reference to the “rich Browns legacy.” The Browns team that had a legacy moved to Baltimore 33 years ago.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Starbucks said Thursday that it plans to open hundreds of new stores across the U.S. and add seating capacity at thousands of existing locations, doubling down on a strategy of emphasizing the company’s cafes as community hubs even as consumer demand for drive-thru coffee grows.

The company unveiled its plans during a presentation in New York for investors. After announcing in September that it would close hundreds of less profitable stores, Starbucks said it now expects to open up to 175 new U.S. coffee shops this year and around 400 in 2028.

Its plans include smaller-format stores that are 20% cheaper to build but still offer comfortable seating, drive-thru service and mobile order pickup capacity.

Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said Starbucks ultimately sees an opportunity to build at least 5,000 new cafes across the U.S., with the smaller store format presenting much of that opportunity. There are thousands of sites where no Starbucks operates within a mile of a competitor, he said. Starbucks is particularly eyeing the central, southern and northeastern U.S. for store development.

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In some ways, Starbucks is running counter to a growing U.S. trend of drive-thru-only coffee shops like Dutch Bros and 7 Brew. In September, the National Coffee Association, an industry trade group, found that 59% of U.S. coffee drinkers who bought coffee outside their home in the past week had used a drive-thru, which was an all-time high.

But Niccol said Thursday that over the last month, more than 60% of Starbucks’ customers came into a store to order their coffee, and he thinks it’s important for those stores to feel vibrant and inviting.

“Our cafes are our point of differentiation,” Niccol said. “We want people to be in our coffeehouses.”

Starbucks said it plans to add 25,000 additional seats to its U.S. cafes by the end of its fiscal year this fall. That’s part of an ongoing upgrade process that is intended to make existing stores warmer and more welcoming.

The improvements, which cost around $150,000 and are done overnight while stores are closed, have been completed at 200 locations and are expected to spread to 1,000 by fall. Starbucks expects to finish the retrofitting work in 2028. The company has around 10,000 company-operated stores in the U.S.

Niccol said Starbucks is seeing customers dwell longer in stores that are revamped.

Niccol, who joined Starbucks in 2024 to revive its flagging sales, said the company’s turnaround is taking hold. Starbucks has been adding staff and equipment to stores to improve service times and give employees more time to connect with customers.

Among Starbucks’ priorities in the coming year is improving its afternoon business, which is weaker than its performance in the morning. In the spring, the company plans to introduce customizable energy drinks made with a proprietary green coffee extract. It’s also planning more snackable foods that are high in protein and fiber, like flatbreads, cottage cheese and protein popcorn.

The company is also installing equipment designed to speed up service. A next-generation espresso machine will cut in half the 70 seconds it now takes to pull espresso shots and double capacity to eight shots at a time, the company said. The machines will begin rolling out to U.S. stores in 2027.

Starbucks also expects changes to its loyalty program to boost sales. A three-tiered program set to start March 10 in the U.S. and Canada will have various benefits for Green, Gold and Reserve members. Starbucks has 35.5 million active loyalty members in the U.S. alone.

Green members will still earn one star per dollar spent, and stars can be redeemed for food and beverages. But they will earn a $2 credit faster than before and get free drink modifications once per month, the company said.

Members who spend more will earn more perks. Reserve status members, who must earn 2,500 stars in 12 months, gain access to exclusive merchandise and events, including all-expense paid trips to coffee-focused destinations like Milan and Costa Rica.

Earlier this week, Starbucks reported stronger-than-expected sales in its fiscal first quarter. The company said its same-store sales were up 4% globally and in the U.S. in the October-December period, which marked its best U.S. performance in two years. It expects global and U.S. same-store sales to rise 3% in its 2026 fiscal year.

On Thursday, the company shared guidance for its 2028 fiscal year. It continues to expect U.S. and global same-store sales to rise 3% or more, and it expects revenue to grow by 5%. Starbucks also forecast earnings per share of $3.35 to $4. That compares to adjusted earnings per share of $2.13 in its 2025 fiscal year.

Starbucks shares fell 1% in midday trading Thursday.

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and STEVE KARNOWSKI

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Justice Department has charged a man who squirted apple cider vinegar on Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at an event in Minneapolis, according to court papers made public Thursday.

The man arrested for Tuesday’s attack, Anthony Kazmierczak, faces a charge of forcibly assaulting, opposing, impeding and intimidating Omar, according to a complaint filed in federal court.

Authorities determined that the substance was water and apple cider vinegar, according to an affidavit. After Kazmierczak sprayed Omar with the liquid, he appeared to say, “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart,” the affidavit says. Authorities also say that Kazmierczak told a close associate several years ago that “somebody should kill” Omar, court documents say.

It was unclear if Kazmierczak had an attorney who could comment on the allegations. A message was left with the federal defender’s office in Minnesota.

The attack came during a perilous political moment in Minneapolis, where two people have been fatally shot by federal agents during the White House’s aggressive immigration crackdown.

Kazmierczak has a criminal history and has made online posts supportive of President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Omar, a refugee from Somalia, has long been a fixture of Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. After she was elected seven years ago, Trump said she should “go back” to her country. He recently described her as “garbage” and said she should be investigated. During a speech in Iowa earlier this week, shortly before Omar was attacked, he said immigrants need to be proud of the United States — “not like Ilhan Omar.”

Omar blamed Trump on Wednesday for threats to her safety.

“Every time the president of the United States has chosen to use hateful rhetoric to talk about me and the community that I represent, my death threats skyrocket,” Omar told reporters.

Trump accused Omar of staging the attack, telling ABC News, “She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

Kazmierczak was convicted of felony auto theft in 1989, has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence and has had numerous traffic citations, Minnesota court records show. There are also indications he has had significant financial problems, including two bankruptcy filings.

In social media posts, Kazmierczak criticized former President Joe Biden and referred to Democrats as “angry and liars.” Trump “wants the US is stronger and more prosperous,” he wrote. “Stop other countries from stealing from us.”

In another post, Kazmierczak asked, “When will descendants of slaves pay restitution to Union soldiers’ families for freeing them/dying for them, and not sending them back to Africa?”

Threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years, peaking in 2021 following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters before dipping slightly, only to climb again, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Capitol Police.

Officials said they investigated nearly 15,000 “concerning statements, behaviors, and communications directed against Members of Congress, their families, staff, and the Capitol Complex” in 2025.

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Richer reported from Washington

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Follow the AP’s coverage of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at https://apnews.com/hub/ilhan-omar.