When the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Julius Randle, the general consensus was that the 2024 Western Conference Finalists had punted the 2024-25 season. Randle is an exceptionally talented player, but the structural fit in Minnesota was debatable on his best day.
Against all odds, the Timberwolves are now headed to the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs—and Randle is one of the primary reasons why.
Randle was widely regarded as something of a throw-in to the trade that saw Minnesota ship former franchise player Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. Minnesota received a package that included Donte DiVincenzo, Randle, and a future first-round selection, which admittedly paints the picture of valuing the former All-NBA forward's contributions.
The prevailing thought, however, was that Randle's potentially expiring contract was the most valuable asset Minnesota received in the deal.
Perhaps that will still prove true, as Randle's contract could help the Timberwolves make their next move for a star they view as having long-term value. In the meantime, however, he's silencing his critics and giving Minnesota exactly what they needed to contend again.
That all begins with the fact that Randle legitimately locked down Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs—and there's no hyperbole in that statement.
Julius Randle locked down LeBron James while thriving on offense
No player defended James more than Randle during the first-round series between Los Angeles and Minnesota. Furthermore, James shot 61.5 percent from the field against Anthony Edwards, as well as 63.6 percent against Naz Reid—burying 15 of his 24 shot attempts between those two matchups.
Against Randle, however, James shot a mere 10-of-25 from the field and 3-of-13 from beyond the arc—good for marks of 40.0 and 23.1 percent.
It was a stellar result from Randle, who spent 40 minutes and 23 seconds guarding James—26:12 more than the next-leading player. For as crazy as it sounds, the former Knicks star legitimately locked the NBA's all-time leading scorer down.
It was a situational advantage that Minnesota utilized to great effect, successfully containing James by simply making Randle his matchup.
As if his defense weren't enough, Randle also finished second on the Timberwolves in both points and assists across the five-game series. He averaged 22.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, shooting efficiently with a slash line of .481/.393/.839.
Randle even ranked No. 3 on the Timberwolves behind Edwards and Naz Reid in points per fourth quarter during the 4-1 series win over the Lakers.
If you're still not sold, try the fact that Randle scored 10 points during the final 9:15 of the fourth quarter in Game 5. It was the ultimate display of a maligned player putting the finishing touches on a series that even his most dedicated critics couldn't possibly pick apart.
Randle's redemption arc is just getting started, but if the first round proves anything, it's that he was the missing piece and not just another throw-in.