The Minnesota Timberwolves recently made an interesting move, basically salary-dumping their second-best player, Julius Randle. This came after their season was cut short in the playoffs, as they lost in six games to the San Antonio Spurs. Randle had an extremely underwhelming series vs the Spurs, with averages of 12.8 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, and 4.9 assists per game. His efficiency dropped as well, with shooting splits of 34% from the field and 19% from three-point range. Does this trade have a deeper meaning for the team, and what does all this mean for their rising superstar, Anthony Edwards?
Randle has been a big part of what this team has been able to do for the past two seasons, and for him to get dumped in a trade where they didn’t receive much of anything in value is odd. Right after he was traded, it was announced that guard Ayo Dosunmu would be resigning with the team on a five-year deal for $112 million. Essentially, the trade was made to clear up cap space to sign Dosunmu to a larger contract. Was this a bit of an overpay for a player who has been in a bench role, but just had a breakout in the playoffs, or was this signing worth the risk?
Minnesota does need guard help, and he does fill that void, but the main question is: What does this mean for Edwards? It has been rumored that he has been unhappy with the front office, especially since the trade of Karl-Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves better have some more moves to improve the roster because, as currently constructed, this roster can’t compete with the top-level teams in the Western Conference. Don’t be surprised if Edwards evaluates the team and realizes that he doesn’t have much to work with, which could result in him requesting a trade.
What’s your take? Post it in our free sports community at stadiumrant.app, or download Stadium Rant on the App Store.
As of right now, the second-best scoring option on the team is Jaden McDaniels, and that will not cut it in a loaded Western Conference. Salary dumping someone who was the main package in the Towns’ trade doesn’t feel right. How do you think Edwards feels after seeing his former teammate win a championship, while the guy they got for him was basically sent off for nothing? The Timberwolves front office is definitely not done this offseason, and they shouldn’t be; their main priority is to keep their star Edwards happy, and that won’t be by being a mediocre team.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
