Rumor: Julius Randle Disgruntled After Timberwolves Cut His Minutes

By Ezra Greenman |

Updated: Jan 17, 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves, Julius Randle — Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves are almost halfway through the 2024-25 season, and after 40 games, they’re sitting at 21-19, currently holding the 8th spot in the Western Conference. It’s fair to say the season hasn’t lived up to expectations so far. However, there’s still plenty of time to change the narrative, and possibly the roster.

The Timberwolves are stuck in mediocrity this season, and one major reason for that could be Julius Randle. Standing at 6’9″, the power forward came to the team through the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, but has been everything but impressive. Now, head coach Chris Finch is noticing the difference Naz Reid makes when Randle isn’t on the floor. As a result, Randle has now been seen leaving games early, even before they’re over.

Minnesota Timberwolves PF Julius Randle is fed up with not playing in crunch time

In their last game, the Timberwolves found themselves in a deep hole, trailing by 22 points after the first quarter. However, they clawed their way back, turning what looked like a blowout into a nail biter. The game ended 115-116, with the Timberwolves falling short by just one point in the final moments.

Just as players were leaving, officials added time back on the clock, making everyone return to the court. Well, almost everyone. Julius Randle was the lone player who didn’t come back onto the floor. On top of that, in the 4th quarter, it was noticeable that Randle wasn’t joining his teammates in cheering them on. Meanwhile, everyone else was actively showing their support.

Julius Randle was benched in the 4Q last night and during that time sat on the bench while the whole Wolves bench was standing cheering on the team late in the 4th.
— Evan Porter (@EvanPorterNBA) January 16, 2025

The Julius Randle era in Minnesota is nearing an end

On Kevin O’Connor’s podcast (well-known NBA insider), he and Tom Haberstroh discussed Julius Randle’s future. They think that his time with the Timberwolves is nearly over.

Bad vibes from Julius Randle, who has been increasingly benched during clutch time in Minnesota. Left before the final buzzer on national TV on Wed.

On the latest @KevinOConnorNBA Show: pic.twitter.com/7FmLZAlbcW
— Mr. Statistician Face Man (@tomhaberstroh) January 17, 2025

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I think it’s over. I think the Julius Randle era in Minnesota is just about over. When you look at the last play of the game, they had to bring back the guys onto the floor because it was there’s still a little bit of time left, but who had already left by then? Julius Randle, and he was already out by the time the game had ended. He left before the play had stopped.

Julius Randle has been on the bench for clutch time, 2 out of the last 6 times they’ve had clutch games. He’s played only 40% of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ clutch minutes since December 30th. I don’t know how the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to last as a title contender with Julius Randle starting over Naz Reid, and it seems like Finchy is looking at this situation by playing Naz Reid the last 17 minutes of that game and saying, you know what, he might be our guy instead of Julius Randle.
Tom Haberstroh – Kevin O’Connor NBA Show

NBA insider Tom Haberstroh highlights an intriguing statistic: since December 30th, Julius Randle has only been on the court for 40% of the clutch minutes. This change underscores a strategic pivot by Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, who seems to favor Naz Reid in these critical moments, likely due to Reid being the superior choice in end-game scenarios.

Haberstroh also believes this could lead Finch to start Naz Reid over Julius Randle and increase Reid’s minutes overall, not just in clutch situations, because having Randle on the court just isn’t working out.

Frustration is building for Randle, signaling the possible end of his time in Minnesota. Whether or not he gets traded before the February 6 deadline, it’s pretty clear his role on the team is probably going to shrink moving forward.