After being acquired in a blockbuster trade less than a month ago, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle is continuing to adjust to his new role in the Twin Cities. Randle struggled to find a rhythm in the regular season opener before bouncing back with a team-high 33 points in a 117-115 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
Randle is in the midst of a challenging transition as he joined the Timberwolves in late September and has been expected to immediately step into a role as a major contributor on both ends of the floor. In the season opener, Randle’s fit felt disjointed as he failed to find his footing throughout Minnesota’s 110-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
Fast forward just two days later and it appears Randle is starting to get a grasp on what his role looks like alongside his Timberwolves teammates, including star guard Anthony Edwards. It can be difficult for players to adapt to a new environment, so it’s not a surprise that there will be an adjustment period for Randle. With that in mind, he seems to be on the right track.
Randle finished with solid numbers in his debut, but it wasn’t indicative of his potential. Against the Lakers, he scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds while shooting 5-for-10 from the field. His fortunes changed in his second outing, exploding for 33 points to go with five rebounds on an efficient 13-for-17 shooting from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point territory.
Randle was Minnesota's best player in Thursday's win
This game highlighted Randle's dynamic skill set and versatility, which will be crucial for the franchise to reach their championship aspirations this season. Not only did Randle demonstrate his elite scoring ability, but also his growing comfort within the Timberwolves' system, and that should continue to improve as the regular season progresses.
As he continues to develop chemistry with his new coaches and teammates, Randle's presence on the court will be pivotal for the Timberwolves’ success both offensively and defensively. If Randle is able to create quality looks for others, maintain his scoring efficiency and shoot at a decent rate from beyond the arc, then the trade will certainly be vindicated.
Minnesota’s coaching staff has emphasized the importance of Randle finding a rhythm in his new role, and it’s a good sign that it took him just a couple of games to make such a significant impact. Randle’s adjustment to the team will be a key storyline to watch, and his addition could eventually help the Timberwolves reach historic heights as the season continues.