Julius Randle knew a trade could happen after he hadn't signed an extension with the Knicks, but that didn't lessen the shock of going to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He didn't have much time to process before he was on a plane to Minneapolis, with the start of training camp around the corner.
Many Timberwolves fans didn't take the trade well because it meant saying goodbye to Karl-Anthony Towns after 10 years. It didn't help that Minnesota was coming off a run to the Western Conference Finals. It was a lot to process.
Randle (and Donte DiVincenzo) got off to shaky starts. The Timberwolves instantly missed the spacing KAT gave the offense. Minnesota played discombobulated, making the trade look like a mistake. It seemed like the team would be lucky to even make it to the Play-In Tournament.
A lot has changed since then. Randle suffered a groin injury in February, sidelining him for over a month. Since his return on March 2, he's failed to score in double-digits only once. He's averaging 18.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game since the beginning of last month. The Timberwolves have gone 14-3 with Randle in the lineup during that span.
Julius Randle has found a home in Minnesota with the Timberwolves
Minnesota is amid a critical final stretch to end the regular season, sitting No. 7 in the West with a 46-32 record. The lowest the Timberwolves can fall is No. 8, and the highest they can finish is No. 3. The race will come down to the wire.
How Minnesota fares in the Play-In/playoffs will determine the direction the front office will go in over the summer. The Timberwolves were interested in Kevin Durant before the trade deadline, and ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Minnesota is expected to be in the race for KD during the offseason. An early exit could push the Timberwolves to acquire Durant, although a trade wouldn't be easy.
There has been a lot of talk about Randle's future in Minnesota, as he has a $30.9 million player option for 2025-26 that he could exercise.
At practice on Monday, Randle said he'd love to stay in Minnesota. He said the organization has been "amazing" from "top to bottom." Randle is big on family and raved about how much his wife and two sons love the city and neighborhood.
ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported at the end of March (subscription required) that the belief is Randle and Naz Reid (who has a $15 million player option next season) will "be back in Minnesota next season," whether that be because they opt into their player options, or decline them to sign new deals.
As mentioned, the next few weeks will give more insight into what could happen this summer. It didn't seem like Randle would stick around in Minnesota during the first half of the season, but that sentiment has since changed. He enjoys being in Minneapolis, and his play has reflected that.