Julius Randle has given Anthony Edwards what Karl-Anthony Towns never could

When the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a protected first-round pick (which became Joan Beringer), the trade was much maligned. The Wolves were coming off their first conference finals appearance in 20 years, and Towns was viewed as a much better player than Randle.

However, this trade has worked out perfectly for the Wolves, who went on to make another conference finals appearance with Randle. Furthermore, the Wolves were able to re-sign Naz Reid due to Randle's contract. Likewise, Randle was signed to a three-year $100 million contract this offseason; he makes $25 million less annually than Towns.

It's not just about money, though. Randle's playstyle is a much better fit next to Anthony Edwards. Most notably, Randle offers more as a self-creator and playmaker. Undoubtedly, Randle has silenced any doubters about the controversial trade.

Randle is a better fit next to Edwards than Towns

Through nine games, Randle is in the midst of a career season. He is averaging 25.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, on 55.5/42.6/86.4 shooting splits. Randle kept the Wolves afloat during Edwards' four-game absence, and when Ant is healthy, Julius' blend of shot creation and playmaking makes him a seamless fit.

Towns is the best shooting big man in the league. Regardless, he's not much of a self-creator. 48.1 percent of Randle's made baskets are unassisted, but just 31.9 percent of Towns' are. Additionally, per Databallr, Randle spends 8.7 percent more time on the ball than Towns. Randle ranks in the 98th percentile for isolation scoring and has led the league in this stat at points this season. However, Towns doesn't even register on NBA.com's database for isolation scoring.

Randle is an elite bruiser who can punish mismatches and attack the rim with great force. He does this while being able to get to his spots in the mid-range and from beyond the arc. On a championship team, having two elite shot creators is simply better than one.

That's not to say Towns can't be a second option on a championship team, but he needs ample playmaking around him. For a Wolves team that lacks playmaking, Randle is an ideal fit, while Towns simply wasn't. Big Ju led the Wolves in assists per game last season, and he is doing so again this year.

Randle can be used as a point forward and playmaking hub. This opens up opportunities for Edwards as a spot-up shooter and lessens the offensive burden on Ant. If there's one flaw that Edwards still has, it's playmaking. Likewise, while the Wolves' defense has floundered, playmaking is still the most notable flaw on the roster. Yet Randle offers an unorthodox solution to this problem.

Ultimately, considering all factors, the Randle-KAT trade is aging like fine wine for the Wolves, and Randle is the ideal co-star for Edwards.