Amid a three-game losing streak, with each loss being by at least 14 points, vibes are at an all-time low among Minnesota Timberwolves fans. Julius Randle's struggles post All-Star break are undeniable, and it's led some Timberwolves fans to call for a starting lineup change.
Of course, when Randle got off to a slow start last year, fans similarly advocated for Naz Reid to replace him in the starting lineup. Chris Finch held steady with Randle, and it eventually paid off. Still, nearly a year and a half later, fans are having the same conversation.
On the surface level, the logic makes sense -- Reid is a better 3-point shooter than Randle, and he can make quicker reads. Additionally, per Cleaning the Cleaning, the Wolves' starting lineup with Reid in place of Randle has a 19.2 net rating, while their normal starting group has a 7.8 net rating.Â
Beyond the fact that Finch would never turn his back on Randle, I think such a seismic change could be disastrous for the Timberwolves. Let me explain why this hypothetical move might backfire on the Wolves.Â
Benching Julius Randle is a dangerous move
After the All-Star break, Randle has struggled, averaging just 14.1 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.1 turnovers on 39.3/16.1/78.6 shooting splits. During this three-game losing streak, Randle's lack of scoring and poor defensive engagement have contributed to the Wolves' shortcomings. The keyword here is contributed. Far too often, fans try to blame Randle for everything. Replacing him with Reid in the starting five wouldn't magically fix things for the Wolves.
It's worth noting that since the All-Star break, Reid is averaging just 12.2 points on 28.2 percent shooting from 3-point range. As such, it's not like he'd be a clear upgrade over Randle; you'd be losing a ton of shot creation juice at the very least.
For better or worse, Finch has empowered Randle and made him one of the team's primary initiators. To Finch's credit, this helped the Wolves reach the conference finals this season, and the team's high points this year have been connected with Randle's best basketball. When he goes cold, though, not having a dependable creator next to Anthony Edwards is harmful.
I don't know Randle personally, but by all accounts, he thrives on support and trust from those around him. His relationship with Finch has been central to his successful stretches with the Wolves.
Being benched might be used as motivation or a time of reflection for some players. However, given what we know about Randle, I think this might cause him to spiral and lose confidence. Whether you're a fan of Randle or not, there's no denying he's an important part of the team's success. The possibility of his production decreasing even more after being benched is a clear argument against this move. Furthermore, making such a massive change so close to the playoffs is inherently risky, and it's unlikely that it would pay off.
Randle's inconsistencies aren't a secret. To that point, amid a cold streak, he might be due for the right ship, and keeping him in the starting lineup is the best chance of this happening. It's also worth mentioning that he is playing through a back injury.
Other moves can (and should) be made
With all that being said, amid a three-game losing streak, changes have to be made. I'm all for finding more reps for Reid to play with the starters. Likewise, if it's a close game, where Randle is struggling, and Reid has it going, Finch can't be afraid to close with Reid.Â
Moves like this could help the Wolves avoid some of the negative aspects of Randle's game when he isn't playing at his best, while not losing his trust. For the Wolves to reach their ceiling, they'll need Randle to provide second option level production, and to do this, he needs to stay in the starting lineup.Â
In reality, the chances of a starting lineup change, despite what many fans want, are slim to none. While I don't agree with everything Finch does, I firmly believe that keeping Randle in the starting five is the right move.Â