The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a tough spot. Julius Randle is their version of De’Aaron Fox: Inefficient in the playoffs when it mattered most. But Randle is actually even worse for Anthony Edwards than Fox was for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Because at least Fox was providing the Spurs with ball-handling and much-needed playmaking. Randle was just taking the ball out of Edwards’ hands.
Plus, to make matters worse, the Spurs didn’t trade much for Fox. They got away with a steal. The Wolves traded one of the best big men in the league, Karl-Anthony Towns, and ended up with a guy they are now potentially looking to trade just two years later.
Randle is the Timberwolves’ version of Fox. But the Wolves are in a much worse spot.
Julius Randle is the Timberwolves' De'Aaron Fox
At his best, Randle can be an offensive hub in the post. A guy for teams to run things through, utilizing his force and solid passing from those spots. A reliable option on both ends of the court.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems with Randle’s game is his inconsistency. While he can be effective sometimes, other times, he’s an extremely inefficient player, keeping the ball out of Edwards’ hands.
That’s what happened in the playoffs this year, as the Wolves were bounced by the Spurs in six games in the second round. Obviously, the injury to Edwards hurt, but Randle’s inefficiency was brutal, too.
In the Wolves’ six games against the Spurs, Randle averaged just 12.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 3.0 turnovers while shooting a measly 34.2% from the field and 19.0% from deep range on 3.5 three-point attempts per contest.
It was ugly. And the Wolves weren’t able to overcome his inefficiency. It’s a similar story to the one the Spurs dealt with in the NBA Finals, as Fox’s efficiency held them back at times.
But even then, as Fox was struggling to score the ball, he was still providing the Spurs with some much-needed ball-handling. And his playmaking was important for them at times, too.
Meanwhile, in the second round against the Spurs, Randle turned the ball over twice the number of times as he dished out assists. It was as bad as it could get for Edwards and the Wolves.
So bad that the Wolves may end up trading Randle this summer (presumably) in search of more consistent offensive play. For all the smoke surrounding Fox, a trade seems unlikely this offseason.
Randle is the Timberwolves’ version of Fox – but worse.
