Julius Randle Still Doesn’t Make Logical Sense on the Timberwolves

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Julius Randle - Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves played the first game of their 2024-25 preseason on Friday night. There were a lot of interesting takeaways, given how different this team now looks, even without newcomer Julius Randle on the floor.

But without a doubt, there was one observation that overshadowed all the others in last night’s 124-107 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers: President of Basketball Operations had no other choice than to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns, especially after they were able to retain Luka Garza in the offseason.

Minnesota Timberwolves flush with front-court talent

Calm down, this is not about comparing the Iowa Hawkeye legend to KAT. This is about ALL of the big man depth on display last night. Rudy Gobert (2 PTS, 2 REB) and Naz Reid (5 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL) started in the Wolves front court. They played 10 minutes together, all in the 1st quarter. Minnesota was +10 during that time.

Unsurprisingly, Rudy Gobert was a bit bumbly and stumbly. He also had 2 fouls, a TO and went 0/2 shooting free throws. So Rudy’s statline could be a Shaq punchline by Monday. But the real ones know. Rudy is who he is and he is going to help the Minnesota Timberwolves win a bunch of regular season basketball games this season.

Then, there’s the aforementioned Naz Reid, who was hands-down the best player on the floor last night between both starting units. At this point in his development, there really isn’t anything Naz can’t do. Put a smaller defender on him, and he’ll play big.

Related: NBA Insider Reveals Even More Details On Why Timberwolves Traded KAT

Put a big man on him, and Reid will bounce out to the perimeter, where he’s absolutely lethal from deep. If that post defender somehow finds his way out in time, few offer any hope of keeping the 6’9″, 25 y/o athletic freak of nature in front of them.

Does Julius Randle really fit on the Wolves roster with Naz Reid?

And that brings us to Julius Randle. He doesn’t fit on this roster for the same reason KAT didn’t… or the same reason former GM Thad Levine apparently didn’t fit in the Minnesota Twins organization anymore, right across the street.

Because younger, cheaper talent, with brighter horizons than what the 6’9″ 29 y/o former comeback player of the year has left to offer. Actually, Randle turns 30 y/o in November, so that’s probably the better age to see him as. Naz just turned 25 at the end of August. Oh, and did you know 6’9″ Jaden McDaniels is also listed as a power forward? He just turned 24 y/o last week.

None of this is a knock on Julius Randle. He is one of the best offensive big men in the NBA. He averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5 assists in 46 games last season. He’s got a deep bag of tricks and he’s able to create his own shot, just about anywhere on the floor.

In fact, he does a lot of the same things that Naz Reid does — some better, some worse. Randle is more polished down low and has proven himself as a more consistent offensive weapon, during the course of his career. But if you didn’t notice above, he’s also four years older than Reid (almost five).

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Timberwolves in Preseason Shellacking of Lakers

At 31% last season, Julius Randle doesn’t have nearly the outside shooting prowess that Naz does, either. The former LSU big man shot an absurd 41.4% on 408 three-point attempts last season, establishing himself right up there with KAT as, not just one of the best outside big men in the league, but one of the best outside shooters, period.

What about Luka Garza and Josh Minott?

Now, I said earlier that this article isn’t about Luka Garza, and it isn’t. At least, it’s not all about him. But our favorite underrated midwestern big man did put up 20 points and 9 rebounds, on 7-of-13 shooting.

Oh, and then there’s Josh Minott, who finished as last night’s leading scorer and completely dominated his time on the court, both offensively and defensively, posting 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks (+18). Clearly, his development is ready for the next step, too.

How many big men is this roster going to play? All six? I can’t imagine Luka Garza would have returned again, if he was told he’d be riding pine for another 82 games. Same thing with Naz Reid, who could have gotten a lot more money elsewhere, last offseason, but decided to come back.

What do they know that we don’t know? Because Julius Randle played 35 minutes per game last season, but Naz is clearly ready for a starting role. Is Randle going to come off the bench? Is Naz? We just dealt Karl-Anthony Towns, in part because of all the young front court talent on roster.

Related: Knicks Finally Made a Trade Offer for KAT that Timberwolves Could Not Refuse

Is it worth slowing the growth of Josh Minott, Luka Garza and Naz Reid for a one-season rental of Julius Randle? Because when Tim Connelly takes an honest look at the Minnesota Timberwolves 2024-25 roster, as currently constructed, he has to be bothered by how much better it could be.

The Wolves need the same thing they did last season. They need a high-end wing who can create from the perimeter, opposite Anthony Edwards… like Kevin Durant, for example.

Trading Julius Randle for a wing makes the Minnesota Timberwolves way better

We saw how the absence of that player hurt the Wolves, throughout their 2023-24 playoff run. Jaden Daniels just isn’t that dude, at least not yet. And the Wolves paid for it over and over again last summer. I know Randle, coaches and executives have talked each other up with media. Finch loves Randle and Randle loves Finch… blah, blah blah.

Maybe it’ll happen, maybe it won’t. But repackaging Julius Randle and trading him for an elite veteran wing (like Kevin Durant) would make this team way better. With Towns’ money off the books, a move like that should be a lot easier to complete, too.

Related: Why Did the Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Karl-Anthony Towns?

Plus, swapping out an elite big for an elite wing would unclog the logjam of talent in Minnesota’s front-court, while simultaneously taking pressure off of those young big men, offensively. They gain experience, but the weight of being a volume scorer on an NBA Finals-caliber team would not be on their young, blossoming shoulders. Not with Ant and another elite wing (like Kevin Durant) on the floor with them.

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