The Timberwolves' Julius Randle question
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Julius Randle is a Wolf...but for how long? Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away and the Timberwolves face a massive decision: Keep Julius Randle or deal him.
Why it matters: The clock will soon start ticking on the prime years of 23-year-old Anthony Edwards, and this season is looking like a bit of dud.
State of play: The Timberwolves have taken a step back after trading star big man Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo. They're 23-21 and would be in the play-in tournament if the season ended today, fighting for a chance at one of the last playoff spots.
- Randle is a good player who hasn't been a good fit on the Wolves. The forward needs the ball too much and has been a below-average defender on a team whose identity is shutting down opposing offenses.
Yes, but: The problems go beyond Randle.
- Point guard Mike Conley Jr. is starting to look his age at 37, forward Jaden McDaniels has not improved like many had hoped, and center Rudy Gobert has seemingly forgotten how to rebound.
- The Wolves — and especially Edwards — have been terrible in crunch time, as The Athletic detailed. They're 13-16 in close games.
Between the lines: While it could be tempting to make a big swing before the deadline, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly might have his eye toward 2026 and beyond.
- Randle could opt out of his $31 million contract after the season, freeing up money this summer to re-sign Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, plus bring in a solid free agent, as Dane Moore laid out on his podcast.
The bottom line: Don't be too quick to write off the KAT-for-Randle trade as a failure, like many of us did with the 2022 Gobert trade.
- Connelly might have a grand plan that will be unveiled sooner or later.