NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves $117 million offseason acquisition could be moved due to rocky fit
Just before the season began, the Minnesota Timberwolves made a massive trade with the New York Knicks. As they continue a shaky start to the season, one key piece from that deal could be on the move again.
Once a No. 1 pick and pillar for the franchise, Minnesota moved on from All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. He was moved to the Knicks in return for another star-level talent in Julius Randle and veteran guard Donte DiVincenzo.
While the Knicks have figured things out following this massive shake-up, the same cannot be said for the Timberwolves. They are barely clinging on to .500 with an 11-10 record and sit in 10th place in the Western Conference.
In their latest intel dump for ESPN, insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst detailed the latest regarding these teams following their blockbuster trade. Barely hanging on to a play-in spot, Minnesota has been cited as a team that could be a player in the trade market leading up to the February deadline.
"That's why Minnesota has been labeled by league decision-makers as a potential player between now and the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Yes, the Wolves are coming off comfortable victories against the reeling Lakers and shorthanded Clippers, but they have higher aspirations than battling for the last play-in spot, which is where they currently sit."
As an All-Star-level player potentially in the final year of his deal (player option for 2026), Randle is one of Minnesota's top trade assets. Through his first 21 games, the 6-foot-9 forward is averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
Minnesota Timberwolves might have a tough time trading Julius Randle
While the Minnesota Timberwolves might want to put an early end to the Julius Randle experiment, getting a deal done might be an uphill battle. There are multiple factors that make him a tricky target for any team of interest.
The biggest thing with Randle is his contract. Since he has a player option for next season, he could potentially hit the open market this offseason. This is a risk for any team trading him, as he could end up being a short-term rental.
Another possible roadblock for the Timberwolves is selling a team on Randle. Since arriving in Minnesota, his stock has been up and down, to say the least. He's had some big performances, but there have also been some lowlights.
It's evident that Minnesota has had some problems gelling with their new pieces. How things unfolded in their matchup with the Toronto Raptors two weeks ago is a clear example. Randle and Rudy Gobert had a clear disconnect down the stretch of a tight game that ended up being a loss for the Wolves.
After reaching the conference finals last year, the new-look Timberwolves do not look like a team on the cusp of contention. Shaking things up again might be their best bet for turning things around this season and beyond.