The Julius Randle Thread

[winforlose]

Comments on the tweet right after it was posted:

I agree with them, it was a dumb **** thing to do. I also believe that Finch playing Ingles in the 3rd over Minott cost us the game. So Finch cut off his nose to spite his face. My solution trade Minott and fire Finch.

[BlacJacMac]

Sure, but you hate Finch and think Minott is a player.

I think Finch is in the majority group of coaches that have minimal impact on winning and losing - and that Minott is not an NBA player.

(I also don't agree that the thing we were missing in the 3rd quarter was even more blown defensive assignments...)

[TimberKat]

Minott had played over 200 mins so far this year. Does he have any stand out games? Clark and Garza played a lot fewer minutes and they already had at least one. Randle's replacement is PF so its more Garza and Ingles anyway. Minott is more a replacement for JMcD. So, I have no problem not playing him and he already got his chances. It's time to see what the other guys can do.

[TimberKat]

I think you guys are going to miss some of what Randle could give us. We are struggling to get points and need another scoring option out there. Dilly is too young (really it is more the mental aspect of 20+ min, not the physical side, everything is so much faster and needs a lot of attention). Conley is too old. Garza isn't going to give you 15 pts a night.

[BlacJacMac]

I think you guys are going to miss some of what Randle could give us. We are struggling to get points and need another scoring option out there. Dilly is too young (really it is more the mental aspect of 20+ min, not the physical side, everything is so much faster and needs a lot of attention). Conley is too old. Garza isn't going to give you 15 pts a night.

Are we?

We scored 138 in the first game where he went out.

Granted we only scored 103 against Washington, but we were also missing Ant, Donte and Naz.

Also, I would assume that whoever we get back in trade for Randle will score some points...

[winforlose]

I think you guys are going to miss some of what Randle could give us. We are struggling to get points and need another scoring option out there. Dilly is too young (really it is more the mental aspect of 20+ min, not the physical side, everything is so much faster and needs a lot of attention). Conley is too old. Garza isn't going to give you 15 pts a night.

Are we?

We scored 138 in the first game where he went out.

Granted we only scored 103 against Washington, but we were also missing Ant, Donte and Naz.

Also, I would assume that whoever we get back in trade for Randle will score some points...

My scoring pecking order for the Wolves

1. Ant, 2. DDV, 3. Randle, 4. Naz, 5. Jaden, 6 NAW, 7. Dilly, 8. Shannon, 9. Rudy, 10, Mike.

We were missing 1-4 and 8, in that game. Garza and NAW had miserable games as well. They said the top 4 account for 63% of points scored this season. To be missing all 4 is a massive blow to our offense. Add to that Wizard’s shot 45% from deep, and we played a lineup of Dilly/Clark/NAW/Ingles/Garza which obviously was hugely effective on defense .

[TimberKat]

I think you guys are going to miss some of what Randle could give us. We are struggling to get points and need another scoring option out there. Dilly is too young (really it is more the mental aspect of 20+ min, not the physical side, everything is so much faster and needs a lot of attention). Conley is too old. Garza isn't going to give you 15 pts a night.

Are we?

We scored 138 in the first game where he went out.

Granted we only scored 103 against Washington, but we were also missing Ant, Donte and Naz.

Also, I would assume that whoever we get back in trade for Randle will score some points...

My scoring pecking order for the Wolves

1. Ant, 2. DDV, 3. Randle, 4. Naz, 5. Jaden, 6 NAW, 7. Dilly, 8. Shannon, 9. Rudy, 10, Mike.

We were missing 1-4 and 8, in that game. Garza and NAW had miserable games as well. They said the top 4 account for 63% of points scored this season. To be missing all 4 is a massive blow to our offense. Add to that Wizard’s shot 45% from deep, and we played a lineup of Dilly/Clark/NAW/Ingles/Garza which obviously was hugely effective on defense .

OK, maybe our offense is ok but we can't play defense without Randle. Give up 38 in 1st qtr to SAC without Fox/Zack

[shrink]

Ever since Randle was included in the KAT trade, I suspected we would sign-and-trade him to a preferred destination this summer, for some financial relief and a rotation piece on a good contract (like DDV). I do not expect him to pick up his player option to get a better contract, but if this injury lingers, he may opt in. Lately I have toyed with the idea .. What if we keep him?

Randle seems to want to be here, in MIN, with Finch. The way he converted his game the last month was very encouraging, filling our needs for size and playmaking. With Randle, we have three very good bigs - and we don’t really have a fourth that is even OK. Jaden has looked decent playing more of a PF role, but with his light body, it’s inviting injuries - the more SF for him, the better. We have a million good guards, but losing Randle is going to severely limit us.

One of the biggest issues though is .. who starts? Our three bigs are all prideful, and all deserving of starting, and have the NBA awards to prove it. Connelly and Finch have been able to cultivate some player self-sacrifice for the good of the team, in contracts, and even who finishes games. I wonder if it’s possible to get the three bigs to accept that Finch will choose starters based on matchups? All three would get plenty of minutes (96/3 = 32), but starting, even more than closing, is seen as a recognition.

Could all three bigs be happy here filling two positions?

[winforlose]

So let’s pretend we get Randle back on or around March 1st. The obvious question is who starts, JR or Naz? Both guys are in player option contract years, both guys are playing fairly well for the Wolves when given minutes, and both guys have untapped upside. So the real question is whether JR’s ego and history will allow him to transition to a 6th man role at age 30? Until recently I would be worried the answer is no. But, my time on the trade board has made me start to wonder who will want Randle to start for them? Like Dlo Randle is a very talented and multidimensional player when playing well. But like Dlo, Randle is selfish, inconsistent, and prone to mistakes. All of this is to ask, is JR’s time as a starter coming to an end from a career standpoint?

[BlacJacMac]

Does Randle actually have “untapped upside” at his age and years of experience?

[wolves_89]

Ever since Randle was included in the KAT trade, I suspected we would sign-and-trade him to a preferred destination this summer, for some financial relief and a rotation piece on a good contract (like DDV). I do not expect him to pick up his player option to get a better contract, but if this injury lingers, he may opt in. Lately I have toyed with the idea .. What if we keep him?

Randle seems to want to be here, in MIN, with Finch. The way he converted his game the last month was very encouraging, filling our needs for size and playmaking. With Randle, we have three very good bigs - and we don’t really have a fourth that is even OK. Jaden has looked decent playing more of a PF role, but with his light body, it’s inviting injuries - the more SF for him, the better. We have a million good guards, but losing Randle is going to severely limit us.

One of the biggest issues though is .. who starts? Our three bigs are all prideful, and all deserving of starting, and have the NBA awards to prove it. Connelly and Finch have been able to cultivate some player self-sacrifice for the good of the team, in contracts, and even who finishes games. I wonder if it’s possible to get the three bigs to accept that Finch will choose starters based on matchups? All three would get plenty of minutes (96/3 = 32), but starting, even more than closing, is seen as a recognition.

Could all three bigs be happy here filling two positions?

I think the only way it could work would be for Randle to accept a pay cut and a 6th man role. I don't see that happening. Naz needs to start and has made a pretty strong case he is the better player for this team going forward. If the choice comes down to only keeping one of Naz or Randle is there really any question as to who should stay?

[winforlose]

Ever since Randle was included in the KAT trade, I suspected we would sign-and-trade him to a preferred destination this summer, for some financial relief and a rotation piece on a good contract (like DDV). I do not expect him to pick up his player option to get a better contract, but if this injury lingers, he may opt in. Lately I have toyed with the idea .. What if we keep him?

Randle seems to want to be here, in MIN, with Finch. The way he converted his game the last month was very encouraging, filling our needs for size and playmaking. With Randle, we have three very good bigs - and we don’t really have a fourth that is even OK. Jaden has looked decent playing more of a PF role, but with his light body, it’s inviting injuries - the more SF for him, the better. We have a million good guards, but losing Randle is going to severely limit us.

One of the biggest issues though is .. who starts? Our three bigs are all prideful, and all deserving of starting, and have the NBA awards to prove it. Connelly and Finch have been able to cultivate some player self-sacrifice for the good of the team, in contracts, and even who finishes games. I wonder if it’s possible to get the three bigs to accept that Finch will choose starters based on matchups? All three would get plenty of minutes (96/3 = 32), but starting, even more than closing, is seen as a recognition.

Could all three bigs be happy here filling two positions?

I think the only way it could work would be for Randle to accept a pay cut and a 6th man role. I don't see that happening. Naz needs to start and has made a pretty strong case he is the better player for this team going forward. If the choice comes down to only keeping one of Naz or Randle is there really any question as to who should stay?

Pretend Randle opt out, here are my questions.

1. Who will start Randle?

2. What will they pay him?

3. Is Randle a 1st or 2nd option at this point in his career?

Pretend Randle opts in, here are my questions.

1. Can Randle handle coming off the bench for Naz?

2. Does Randle have trade value as an expiring?

3. Does a winning team trade for Randle to use him as he wants to be used?

[shrink]

Ever since Randle was included in the KAT trade, I suspected we would sign-and-trade him to a preferred destination this summer, for some financial relief and a rotation piece on a good contract (like DDV). I do not expect him to pick up his player option to get a better contract, but if this injury lingers, he may opt in. Lately I have toyed with the idea .. What if we keep him?

Randle seems to want to be here, in MIN, with Finch. The way he converted his game the last month was very encouraging, filling our needs for size and playmaking. With Randle, we have three very good bigs - and we don’t really have a fourth that is even OK. Jaden has looked decent playing more of a PF role, but with his light body, it’s inviting injuries - the more SF for him, the better. We have a million good guards, but losing Randle is going to severely limit us.

One of the biggest issues though is .. who starts? Our three bigs are all prideful, and all deserving of starting, and have the NBA awards to prove it. Connelly and Finch have been able to cultivate some player self-sacrifice for the good of the team, in contracts, and even who finishes games. I wonder if it’s possible to get the three bigs to accept that Finch will choose starters based on matchups? All three would get plenty of minutes (96/3 = 32), but starting, even more than closing, is seen as a recognition.

Could all three bigs be happy here filling two positions?

I think the only way it could work would be for Randle to accept a pay cut and a 6th man role. I don't see that happening. Naz needs to start and has made a pretty strong case he is the better player for this team going forward. If the choice comes down to only keeping one of Naz or Randle is there really any question as to who should stay?

I know we love Naz and his 6MOY Award (and maybe a second?!). That still doesn’t stack up against two All NBA awards.

I agree though, they need to keep Naz.

[BlacJacMac]

Ever since Randle was included in the KAT trade, I suspected we would sign-and-trade him to a preferred destination this summer, for some financial relief and a rotation piece on a good contract (like DDV). I do not expect him to pick up his player option to get a better contract, but if this injury lingers, he may opt in. Lately I have toyed with the idea .. What if we keep him?

Randle seems to want to be here, in MIN, with Finch. The way he converted his game the last month was very encouraging, filling our needs for size and playmaking. With Randle, we have three very good bigs - and we don’t really have a fourth that is even OK. Jaden has looked decent playing more of a PF role, but with his light body, it’s inviting injuries - the more SF for him, the better. We have a million good guards, but losing Randle is going to severely limit us.

One of the biggest issues though is .. who starts? Our three bigs are all prideful, and all deserving of starting, and have the NBA awards to prove it. Connelly and Finch have been able to cultivate some player self-sacrifice for the good of the team, in contracts, and even who finishes games. I wonder if it’s possible to get the three bigs to accept that Finch will choose starters based on matchups? All three would get plenty of minutes (96/3 = 32), but starting, even more than closing, is seen as a recognition.

Could all three bigs be happy here filling two positions?

I think the only way it could work would be for Randle to accept a pay cut and a 6th man role. I don't see that happening. Naz needs to start and has made a pretty strong case he is the better player for this team going forward. If the choice comes down to only keeping one of Naz or Randle is there really any question as to who should stay?

I know we love Naz and his 6MOY Award (and maybe a second?!). That still doesn’t stack up against two All NBA awards.

I agree though, they need to keep Naz.

I would hope Finch and company don't think like that. Current play should count more than past accolades.

But I also don't want Randle here at all next year, so hopefully the argument is moot.

[winforlose]

Ever since Randle was included in the KAT trade, I suspected we would sign-and-trade him to a preferred destination this summer, for some financial relief and a rotation piece on a good contract (like DDV). I do not expect him to pick up his player option to get a better contract, but if this injury lingers, he may opt in. Lately I have toyed with the idea .. What if we keep him?

Randle seems to want to be here, in MIN, with Finch. The way he converted his game the last month was very encouraging, filling our needs for size and playmaking. With Randle, we have three very good bigs - and we don’t really have a fourth that is even OK. Jaden has looked decent playing more of a PF role, but with his light body, it’s inviting injuries - the more SF for him, the better. We have a million good guards, but losing Randle is going to severely limit us.

One of the biggest issues though is .. who starts? Our three bigs are all prideful, and all deserving of starting, and have the NBA awards to prove it. Connelly and Finch have been able to cultivate some player self-sacrifice for the good of the team, in contracts, and even who finishes games. I wonder if it’s possible to get the three bigs to accept that Finch will choose starters based on matchups? All three would get plenty of minutes (96/3 = 32), but starting, even more than closing, is seen as a recognition.

Could all three bigs be happy here filling two positions?

I think the only way it could work would be for Randle to accept a pay cut and a 6th man role. I don't see that happening. Naz needs to start and has made a pretty strong case he is the better player for this team going forward. If the choice comes down to only keeping one of Naz or Randle is there really any question as to who should stay?

I know we love Naz and his 6MOY Award (and maybe a second?!). That still doesn’t stack up against two All NBA awards.

I agree though, they need to keep Naz.

I think this is a bad take. Randle may have more awards, but he is also 30 years old and nearing the end of his prime. Naz is 25 years old and yet to enter his. Add to that a skill set and fit difference and I don’t think it is as easy is Randle is more accomplished so he should start and stay.

Broken down a bit more, Randle is not the floor spacer that Naz is. Randle turns the ball over more than Naz. Randle gets tunnel visioned more than Naz. Randle isn’t as good at the scheme defense as Naz. Naz may also be cheaper. I think 25 is a good target for Naz, whereas Randle wants to increase from 33. Keeping Naz is the priority, which means starting Naz over Randle.

[shrink]

Broken down a bit more, Randle is not the floor spacer that Naz is. Randle turns the ball over more than Naz. Randle gets tunnel visioned more than Naz. Randle isn’t as good at the scheme defense as Naz. Naz may also be cheaper. I think 25 is a good target for Naz, whereas Randle wants to increase from 33. Keeping Naz is the priority, which means starting Naz over Randle.

1. Agree, Naz is a better floor spacer
2. Yes, Randle is 2.8 TOV to 1.2 TOV for Naz. However Randle tries to make passes. He averages 4.5 AST to Naz 2.0, and Randle is new.to this offense. Randle added 5-6 AST in 3/4 of his previous years in NYK.
3. Got to say - meh. Naz looks to score, and he doesn’t pass as much. To me, that’s tunnel vision. And Finch trusted Randle to play point forward before he got hurt - the opposite of what you’d do with a guy who had tunnel vision.
4. This is my biggest issue. Yes Naz is a better defender .. WITH RUDY, and only Rudy. For most of Naz’ career, he used to be awful. Playing with Rudy is different on defense, and it feels unfair to laud Naz’ defense because he’s had longer with Rudy. Neither Naz or Randle are good defenders.
5. I agree, Naz should be cheaper. Cheaper players don’t automatically get to start - in fact, Naz being more expensive would be a better indication of starting.

If people want to say Naz is better than Randle, that is a very high bar by NBA standards. Besides his All NBA’s, Randle was an All Star 3 of the last 4 years, Comeback Player of the Year, and won MIP. Could Naz win any of these? Truthfully, we need all three bigs, and unless we make a trade, we aren’t likely to get help next year in free agency or a young rookie. If ARod and Lore want to succeed and are willing to maintain spending, they need to pay for Gobert, Randle and Naz, and Finch needs to come up with a way to make them all happy to stay here.

[winforlose]

Broken down a bit more, Randle is not the floor spacer that Naz is. Randle turns the ball over more than Naz. Randle gets tunnel visioned more than Naz. Randle isn’t as good at the scheme defense as Naz. Naz may also be cheaper. I think 25 is a good target for Naz, whereas Randle wants to increase from 33. Keeping Naz is the priority, which means starting Naz over Randle.

1. Agree, Naz is a better floor spacer
2. Yes, Randle is 2.8 TOV to 1.2 TOV for Naz. However Randle tries to make passes. He averages 4.5 AST to Naz 2.0, and Randle is new.to this offense. Randle added 5-6 AST in 3/4 of his previous years in NYK.
3. Got to say - meh. Naz looks to score, and he doesn’t pass as much. To me, that’s tunnel vision. And Finch trusted Randle to play point forward before he got hurt - the opposite of what you’d do with a guy who had tunnel vision.
4. This is my biggest issue. Yes Naz is a better defender .. WITH RUDY, and only Rudy. For most of Naz’ career, he used to be awful. Playing with Rudy is different on defense, and it feels unfair to laud Naz’ defense because he’s had longer with Rudy. Neither Naz or Randle are good defenders.
5. I agree, Naz should be cheaper. Cheaper players don’t automatically get to start - in fact, Naz being more expensive would be a better indication of starting.

If people want to say Naz is better than Randle, that is a very high bar by NBA standards. Besides his All NBA’s, Randle was an All Star 3 of the last 4 years, Comeback Player of the Year, and won MIP. Could Naz win any of these? Truthfully, we need all three bigs, and unless we make a trade, we aren’t likely to get help next year in free agency or a young rookie. If ARod and Lore want to succeed and are willing to spend, they need to pay for Gobert, Randle and Naz, and Finch needs to come up with a way to make them all happy to stay here.

1. If Jaden is going to shoot more inside the arc and Rudy is a non shooter, that leaves 3 guys to do the floor spacing. Ant is the best in the NBA this year, but we want him downhill more. DDV is out for a while so Mike is the PG and his 3 has been lacking this year. Recently he started bringing the numbers back up, but the volume is low. That leaves Naz or Randle. With Randle it forces Ant to take more 3s and less free throws. I prefer Naz.

2. Most of Randle’s turnovers are not committed passing. They are committed by backing down opponents and then getting stripped because he is not looking to pass. Randle going ISO and trying to get his was a major problem. The passing increased later but the turnover rate is still way too high.

3. Naz might shoot more 3s and go to the rim with the purpose of shooting, but he is also a quicker decision maker. Randle is the slower plodding type. When Naz is doubled he kicks it out. When Randle is doubled he tries to create room to get his shot off. I agree that Randle can play point forward, just as Dlo can play guard. But Randle like Dlo is also quick to seek his own shot, and when he is cold, that is not a deterrent. But for the sake of argument let’s assume that both are too eager to get theirs. Naz is better at turning that into points.

4. Naz is better at flying around, more engaged defensively, and boxes out more than Randle. Randle can defend when he wants to, but doesn’t want to often. Naz has defensive lapses, but it isn’t for lack of trying. Even if you want to say Randle is better one on one, Naz is better at making the rotation, getting through screens, running out to contest, ect… Randle is like Dlo in the sense that defense is not his thing.

5. Naz is on the up swing, Randle is on the down swing. Naz is pre prime and already as good as Randle. Randle is about to be post prime and likely begin to decline. Even if he manages not to decline, Naz will be much better in 2 years and that is why keeping Naz is the priority. Also if Randle was as good as his accolades suggest, he would have a better trade market than he does. He didn’t earn them in the more competitive west. Naz should be cheaper because he has less opportunities than Randle, and with less opportunities comes less of a pay day. But make no mistake, Naz will be hunted in free agency, and that will drive up the price on us. Randle probably will opt in, because no one wants to pay him 30+.

[winforlose]

This question is for anyone who might have a resource to track this easily. Is there any to see how much each team has to spend in free agency? Preferably with the ability to view all teams at once? I ask because Randle’s market seems limited, and absent bird rights or a sign and trade I doubt he can make close to what he wants either next year or long term.

[shangrila]

This question is for anyone who might have a resource to track this easily. Is there any to see how much each team has to spend in free agency? Preferably with the ability to view all teams at once? I ask because Randle’s market seems limited, and absent bird rights or a sign and trade I doubt he can make close to what he wants either next year or long term.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/cap/_/year/2025/sort/cap_maximum_space_optimized/dir/desc

First link when I googled it.

[winforlose]

This question is for anyone who might have a resource to track this easily. Is there any to see how much each team has to spend in free agency? Preferably with the ability to view all teams at once? I ask because Randle’s market seems limited, and absent bird rights or a sign and trade I doubt he can make close to what he wants either next year or long term.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/cap/_/year/2025/sort/cap_maximum_space_optimized/dir/desc

First link when I googled it.

Funny, when I googled it my first link was this hot mess

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/cap/_/year/2025/sort/cap_maximum_space