The Minnesota Timberwolves have emerged as true NBA title contenders, and they made a dramatic move just weeks before the start of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Coming off an appearance in the 2024 Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves decided to ship All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
The move comes as a shock, as Minnesota seemed like it could win a title with its current roster, but the Timberwolves evidently felt the need to trade Towns for some additional depth.
It looks like a cost-cutting move on paper, given that the team will need to extend Rudy Gobert soon, while the Knicks were in desperate need of a center.
Randle is the more talented player of the two coming to the Timberwolves, but his fit as a non-spacing big raises questions about the offense.
Timberwolves play-by-play announcer Michael Grady broke down how Randle might fit on the team.
“While Randle is capable of shooting the 3, you much rather have him in the post, mid-range area where he shoots a solid percentage,” Grady said, via SiriusXM NBA Radio. “That is something that (head coach) Chris Finch is going to have to work out.”
“That is something that Chris Finch is going to have to work out”#Timberwolves TV PxP @Grady tells @badboyhorn44 and @GeraldBlss how the acquisition of Julius Randle will work offensively. pic.twitter.com/jfGuFufmbt
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 28, 2024
Randle’s never been known as someone who can score consistently from the perimeter, so Finch will need to develop ways for him and Gobert to share the painted area.
It seems like a clunky fit on paper, though the Timberwolves should still be considered an elite team moving forward.
NEXT: Report: Donte DiVincenzo Was Unhappy About Reduced Role
