https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/12/20/julius-randle-timberwolves-problem-knicks-trade/

Kristian Winfield: Ex-Knick Julius Randle is the Timberwolves’ problem now
Kristian Winfield

MINNEAPOLIS — Naz Reid saw it. Anthony Edwards saw it, too. So did the thousands of fans packing the Target Center, their eyes locked on Julius Randle as Karl-Anthony Towns made his highly anticipated return to Minnesota on Thursday.

Randle stood in the paint, swarmed by three Knicks defenders. The open man was there — two of them, in fact. Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker both stood uncontested behind the three-point line, arms ready for the pass.

But, as had so often been the case during his time in New York, the ball seemed glued to Randle’s hands.

Reid pointed at McDaniels. Edwards gestured emphatically, then flailed his arms in frustration. Wolves fans, sensing the squandered opportunity before it even unfolded, joined in unison with a phrase Knicks fans had shouted countless times before.

“Pass the ball!”

Randle eventually moved the ball — but three seconds too late. In the NBA, a fraction of a second can decide a possession, a quarter or even a game.

By the time Randle hit McDaniels, Mikal Bridges had already rotated to help. McDaniels swung the ball to Alexander-Walker, but the window had slammed shut, too.

What could have been an open corner three five seconds earlier turned into an entirely different challenge. Alexander-Walker had no choice but to attack Precious Achiuwa’s close-out, driving into the paint and launching a fading two over two defenders — a far tougher shot.

The basket was good, but the moment underscored a larger issue. The possession wasn’t just a clunky sequence; it was a snapshot of why the Knicks had to move on from Randle — and why the Timberwolves may soon need to consider the same.

Randle’s struggles with ball movement and defensive disengagement when his offense isn’t flowing were issues in New York, and they persist in Minnesota. Ball-stoppers rarely align with the principles of winning basketball, and Randle’s tendencies are as entrenched as ever.

That single possession epitomized why the Knicks are the clear winners of the blockbuster Towns-for-Randle (and Donte DiVincenzo) trade. It’s also a glaring reason why the Timberwolves sit eighth in the Western Conference after tying for second and reaching the conference finals last season.

“We don’t have no identity,” Edwards said postgame, his frustration palpable. “We know imma shoot a bunch of shots. We know Ju gonna shoot a bunch of shots. That’s all we know. We don’t really know anything else. It’s not on the coaches at all. It’s on us.”

Pressed on how to fix the offense, Edwards held back. “They not going to like what I say, so I’m just going to keep it to myself.”

If moving on from Randle is the unspoken solution, it’s not one that comes easily. The former All-Star is owed $33 million this season and holds a $30.9 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign. With limited projected cap space across the league next summer — and Randle’s trade value steadily declining — there’s a strong chance he picks up the option, keeping him in Minnesota for at least another season.

Meanwhile, Towns is thriving in New York, transforming the Knicks’ offensive identity in ways Randle never could.

Insert shrug emoji here.

Randle is the Timberwolves’ problem now. Once a fixture responsible for dragging the Knicks back to relevance, he’s now the headlining outgoing player in a trade that is a resounding franchise-defining win for New York’s front office.

The same issues that plagued Randle at Madison Square Garden have followed him to the Target Center, much to the chagrin of his new fanbase.

Meanwhile, Knicks fans can finally breathe easy. The days of Randle’s ball-stopping tendencies stifling the flow of the offense and limiting his teammates are firmly in the rearview mirror.

ToddTT wrote:I don't know, looks like Julius had a pretty good game to me.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/KnicksMuse/status/1741952230784131242

Todd is time traveling again

"Jan 1, 2024"

martin wrote:Not trying to make it a dig but this is one area Randle maybe doesn't understand or is just part of his personality. Bad energy is contagious and needs to be managed, and it does sap teammates, coaches, and the people around you.

I love what Cam is saying that bringing good energy costs nothing. Bad juju costs a LOT

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/SixersAdam/status/1870165989003837543

Cam on the roommates podcasts expands on this thought and how its a way for young players to stick in the league

Maybe PG isn't the role for him but SG with elite defense and ball handling is just right.

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https://www.twitter.com/IQfor3/status/1870179296624730304

VDesai wrote:

martin wrote:Took him 2+ years to figure out the shot at the NBA level but it was all worth it. His next contract will be gold for him.

Maybe PG isn't the role for him but SG with elite defense and ball handling is just right.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/IQfor3/status/1870179296624730304

His overall activity level and hustle around the court is a game changer too. He was a jolt of energy in the 2nd quarter. When his shot is on coming off the bench the Knicks are hard to beat. He is being agressive on drives too. He has a legit scoring bag when unleashed.

I'm hoping Deuce continues on the Payton Pritchard path. Don't know if Deuce will score like Pritchard, but he's a way better defender. Just need to see the steady improvements year over year.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/AndrewJClaudio_/status/1870149811875315786

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

Knicksfan wrote:THIS is the starting lineup.

This is the lineup I’ve wanted for a long time, but wasn’t sure how well it would play out but suspected it would be right. It’s just one game, yes, but you can tell the impact that a rightly balanced lineup has. And also, we all know that when given significant minutes, Precious delivers. And the defense and rebounding, you can see the impact! OG is amazing and can definitely give you minutes at the 4 when needed, but he is better suited at the 3.

I really hope we keep this lineup moving forward. Not only does this lengthens the lineup with a talented Swiss-army player like Josh coming from the bench, but you really take advantage of all of our players at their strengths. Get me a backup power forward through the wire at some point in the season and we are cool.

Knicks looked great but Precious was a -4 in a game we were up by 30+ for most of it and we didn't take over the game until the bench mob came in the second Q.

I've always wondered if looking at a particular players +/- is a good thing our not. I think over the long haul it may be informative to a degree.

I haven't yet seen game so really can't speak to Precious and what he was doing but the Knicks team did well and that definitely speaks to something.

One thing I did note - we were down 33-32 when Brunson went out after 1st.

When he returned we were up +21.

martin wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/BKNetsTweets/status/1869973528507818403

Thank goodness Early Season Mikal went away and really good player Mikal has returned.

Some of his cuts last night were special. Particularly one he had ball on left wing and dumped the ball into Kat in the post with Jalen at top of key. As Mikal moves away from Kat towards Jalen Ant Edwards takes a quick dig to double Kat and Mikal quickly changes direction going from top of key right to hoop for layup off Kat pass.

BigDaddyG wrote:

VDesai wrote:

martin wrote:Took him 2+ years to figure out the shot at the NBA level but it was all worth it. His next contract will be gold for him.

Maybe PG isn't the role for him but SG with elite defense and ball handling is just right.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/IQfor3/status/1870179296624730304

His overall activity level and hustle around the court is a game changer too. He was a jolt of energy in the 2nd quarter. When his shot is on coming off the bench the Knicks are hard to beat. He is being agressive on drives too. He has a legit scoring bag when unleashed.

I'm hoping Deuce continues on the Payton Pritchard path. Don't know if Deuce will score like Pritchard, but he's a way better defender. Just need to see the steady improvements year over year.

He's trying to do a little more off the dribble these days --- not as elusive finding his shots off the dribble as Pritchard but I agree that would be a great player to emulate.

Me personally I love Cam/Deuce off the court and tempo picks up quick.