Timberwolves Insiders: Don’t Hold Your Breath for a Julius Randle Trade
There’s been plenty of rumors and rumblings regarding the play and attitude of Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle. We used to complain about Karl-Anthony Towns’ defense; now we complain about Julius Randle’s defense.
We used to complain about Towns’ one out-of-control, dribble-drive move; now we complain about Julius Randle’s perpetually loose handle. Now Towns is starting in an NBA All-Star Game that Julius Randle won’t garnish an invitation.
Meanwhile, Mike Conley Jr. and Rudy Gobert are shells of their younger selves, and we are all still waiting for Jaden McDaniels – who is still inconsistent offensively – to blossom like he was once projected to.
Minnesota Timberwolves insiders downplay Julius Randle trade rumors
Much like the Minnesota Wild, the Timberwolves are deep in salary cap hell. That’s why Towns is now in New York and Julius Randle is here. Minnesota is in the second apron of the salary cap luxury tax as a result, and can’t take on money in a trade.
That makes the chances Randle gets dealt before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6 unlikely, according to multiple reports, including this from local insider Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on the Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North).
I haven’t heard of a whole lot of Julius Randle trade interest. I just haven’t. Not poo-pooing the idea completely, but right now, just haven’t heard a whole lot of steam on that front.”
-Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)
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Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic is hearing the same kind of things, and believes the Minnesota Timberwolves should and likely will “stand pat” at the NBA trade deadline, due to the multitude of restrictions they are under, as a 2nd apron luxury tax team. What about that Julius Randle trade? It’s not even on the Wolves insider’s radar.
The problem is they are a second-apron team, which severely restricts their ability to make trades. They also don’t have a ton of ammunition to make offers, so the likelihood of landing an impact player is low. Yes, the Julius Randle fit has been awkward, but I think there are bigger problems the Wolves have to solve.
I don’t see a trade out there that makes the Wolves markedly better or a sell move that drastically improves their position going forward without them incentivizing a team to help them. It may not be popular, but it may be what makes the most sense.
-Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic (subscription required)
Why is trading Randle so difficult?
The reason why the Minnesota Timberwolves can’t find a trade partner for Julius Randle isn’t only because of the salary situation. It’s because Randle has mostly stunk. Last season he averaged 24 points per game. This year he’s scoring 19. He’s taken almost four fewer two-point attempts per game and is getting to the foul line less as a result.
Related: Rumor: Julius Randle Disgruntled After Timberwolves Cut His Minutes
Randle is also bad defensively, averaging 113 points allowed per 100 possessions. That’s way worse than Karl-Anthony Towns’ 109 defensive rating. Randle is also collecting two fewer rebounds per game this season as well. He’s been picked on by Minnesota Timberwolves’ opponents so much in clutch time he’s sitting more in the fourth quarter, too.
This is the new normal for Minnesota Timberwolves fans and could be next season as well. Randle has a player option worth more than $33 million next year. Given how he’s played, it wouldn’t be surprising if he picked up that option.
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