Julius Randle’s time with the Timberwolves might be short as the team considers trading him before the NBA trade deadline. Here’s what might happen.
Julius Randle is in his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and putting up solid numbers: 18.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.
But even with Randle playing well, the Timberwolves haven’t been as strong as last year, and people are starting to wonder how long he’ll stay with the team.
Randle has a $30.9 million player option for next season, and it’s unlikely he’ll turn that down.
Still, the Timberwolves might trade him to make some changes.
The team is focused on keeping Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and might want a younger point guard to replace 37-year-old Mike Conley.
These moves could push Randle out before the February 6 trade deadline.
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A Possible Trade Idea
Here’s one trade scenario that’s being talked about:
- Timberwolves get: Lonzo Ball, Buddy Hield, Julian Phillips, and a $2.9 million trade exception.
- Bulls get: Julius Randle, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, Kyle Anderson, Gary Payton II, Luka Garza, and trade exceptions.
- Warriors get: Nikola Vučević, Patrick Williams, Torrey Craig, Talen Horton-Tucker, and a trade exception.
Why Would the Timberwolves Trade Randle?
The Timberwolves shocked everyone last year when they traded Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo after making it to the Western Conference Finals.
That trade was more about saving money than basketball.
They’re trying to stay under the NBA’s strict salary rules by 2025-26.
While Randle brings offense to the team, the Timberwolves seem to want a more defensive-focused style.
Lonzo Ball would fit that plan perfectly and has an expiring contract, which makes him cheaper.
Buddy Hield’s shooting could help too, especially with DiVincenzo injured.
Young player Julian Phillips would give them some extra depth.
Trading Randle would free up a lot of money—nearly $53 million—which they could use to re-sign Reid and Alexander-Walker.
This would give the Timberwolves more flexibility to build a team around Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels.
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Why Would the Bulls Want Randle?
The Bulls are in a tough spot. They’re trying to stay competitive, but things aren’t going great.
Adding Randle would give them one of the best players in the trade, and they’d also get Jonathan Kuminga, a young player with a lot of potential.
On top of that, experienced players like Kevon Looney, Kyle Anderson, and Gary Payton II would help keep the team competitive.
Plus, the Bulls would get some trade exceptions, giving them more options for future moves.
Why Would the Warriors Be Interested?
The Warriors have been looking for a strong starting center for a while, and Nikola Vučević would be a great fit.
They’d also get Patrick Williams, who works well with players like Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
This trade would let the Warriors focus on winning now while keeping their finances in check for the future.
What’s Next for Randle?
The Timberwolves have some big decisions to make.
Trading Randle could help them reshape their team and stay financially stable.
With the NBA trade deadline coming up, we’ll have to wait and see if Minnesota keeps Randle or decides to move on.
Also Read: Could the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Wizards Pull Off a Three-Team Blockbuster?