It’s the Offense, Stupid!

[Lipoli390]

I don't know if I am just becoming desensitized, or whether Randle is making the effort to adapt his game for the Wolves, but I am finding myself less offended by Randle's play than earlier in the season. I think we are seeing a better defensive effort and quicker decisions on the offensive end. Then I start wondering how we would replace what Randle is providing? I am not sold on NAZ as a starter.

I'm also not worried about Randle picking up his option. If the fit is working, I foresee a extension being worked out, ala Rudy.

Naz can't replace Randle in terms of shot-creation and creating for others. But Naz also brings better outside shooting and quicker decision making. He's a ball mover and has shown synergy with both Ant and Rudy over the last few seasons.

It's insane to me that one of the best shooters and drivers in the NBA isn't among the top 3 or 4 in the NBA in scoring. So I think some of Randle's shot creation simply gets tacked onto Ant's workload. Then we have guys like Dillingham and Shannon, elite scorers at the NCAA level, that I think can form a pretty potent bench combo next season. And eventually one of them may be starting for us.

Last season we went a bunch of games with Naz starting at PF and KAT out hurt. We were fine!

True.

And there in lines Connelly's dilemma. He needs to decide by the trade deadline if he plans to workout an extension with Randle. Because if the answer is "no", then he really needs to pursue a trade by the deadline.

I think you’re probably right about TC’s dilemma. But perhaps there’s a third choice - i.e., don’t trade him and see if he opts in after this season. He may not and then his salary is off the books immediately. I think it’s highly likely he opts in, but then we only have him for one more year before his salary comes off the books. And his trade value in Feb. 2026 as an expiring contract should be significantly greater than it is now.

I should add that giving Randle and extension would be a mistake in my view. His salary is an issue, but the bigger issue is his poor fit on this team with Ant and Rudy. If we were to trade Rudy, then I could see keeping Randle. But between the two, I think Rudy is the guy to keep and he’s probably almost impossible to trade with the contract extension TC just give him.