Julius Randle

[Phenom]

I voted maybe, but not based on how he or the Wolves perform over the next few games. My maybe is based on what we get back or have to give up to trade him. So I’m a yes if the deal (1) does not require us to give up the Detroit pick, our 2025 2nd from Utah or more than 1 future 2nd; and (2) we save significant salary next season without any increase in salary after next season.

I think the chances of finding a deal that meets those two criteria are pretty slim. A viable trade partner would have to be a contending team that needs inside scoring and has cap room to give us some salary relief. And I would stay away from doing a deal with any Western Conference contenders. That leaves only two potential destinations - Orlando and Detroit. I can’t come up with a workable, realistic deal with Orlando. So I’m thinking Detroit might be our best bet. One possibility might be Randle for Harris. The deal would trim $4.3 million from next year’s payroll, which would give us a little more breathing room to make sure we can sign Naz and get under the 2nd apron. I think Randle is better and more valuable than Harris if the fit is right. I think he’d fit better in Detroit than here. So I’d want a future 2nd round pick back from Detroit as part of the deal. I’d push for Toronto’s 2025 2nd but we’d probably have to settle for Detroit’s 2027 and 2028 picks. The Pistons have their own 2nd rounders those two years plus the Mavs’ 2nd in 2027 and the Clippers 2nd in 2028.

You have to keep in mind that not trading Randle probably means losing one or both of Naz and NAW. The team gets substantially worse without those two. I think you have to consider making a deal with the pick. Picks are no guarantees of anything. We got players now who we like and need. One bird in the bush versus Two in the hand.

As I noted in my trade deadline post, it looks like we could sign Naz to a deal starting at up to $25 million next season and get just below the second apron if Randle opts in - assuming the cap increases by the max 10%. But we wouldn’t be able to sign NAW or use the MLE and we’d still be above the 1st apron.

So I agree the case for trading Randle before the deadline is strong. But trading him is probably NOT essential to meet our two main goals: re-signing Naz, and getting below the second apron.

If we can get a Cam Johnson in return for Randle and the Detroit pick then I’d say ok if we can meet our two main goals. Otherwise, I wouldn’t give up that pick to move a 20/10 player like Randle just to trim payroll.

Teams are reportedly starting to call about NAW. If Julius is staying, it is irresponsible to not cash in on NAW for some kind of asset.

[Q-is-here]

I am one of the two no votes. Ju seems to be fitting in better (I’m not as upset as some about him leaving the bench for the last second of the warriors game). His style bugs me at times (such a sloppy handle!), but he is terrific at drawing the double and making the right pass. Ant is really improving in this area too. Ju was close to a triple double again tonight, and I just don’t know that we can make a trade that would make me happy…I’m very much against including the Detroit pick. Now if somehow TC could pull a rabbit out of his hat, I wouildnt be opposed. But absent that, I’m okay with losing NAW if Ju opts in (even though I love the guy).

It's interesting how as he has taken less shots and been more of a cog versus a centerpiece, our offense has started to take off.

Earlier in the season and as recently as a couple weeks ago I found it so bizarre how Julius-centric our offense had become when we literally have one of the most dangerous scorers on the planet in Anthony Edwards.

Well, now it appears that we're back to an Ant-centric offense with everyone else pitching in. And it's working! We have the #8 offense in the month of January. I especially like that Randle is using his big body to go dig out some offensive rebounds and put backs.

[Lipoli390]

I am one of the two no votes. Ju seems to be fitting in better (I’m not as upset as some about him leaving the bench for the last second of the warriors game). His style bugs me at times (such a sloppy handle!), but he is terrific at drawing the double and making the right pass. Ant is really improving in this area too. Ju was close to a triple double again tonight, and I just don’t know that we can make a trade that would make me happy…I’m very much against including the Detroit pick. Now if somehow TC could pull a rabbit out of his hat, I wouildnt be opposed. But absent that, I’m okay with losing NAW if Ju opts in (even though I love the guy).

It's interesting how as he has taken less shots and been more of a cog versus a centerpiece, our offense has started to take off.

Earlier in the season and as recently as a couple weeks ago I found it so bizarre how Julius-centric our offense had become when we literally have one of the most dangerous scorers on the planet in Anthony Edwards.

Well, now it appears that we're back to an Ant-centric offense with everyone else pitching in. And it's working! We have the #8 offense in the month of January. I especially like that Randle is using his big body to go dig out some offensive rebounds and put backs.

Very interesting development with Randle. No doubt Finch is responsible for this change in Randle’s role. It’s certainly long overdue. Not sure whether the delay was Finch being slow to figure it out or Randle resisting. In any event, it’s good to see. I wonder whether Randle will accept this role. If so, then I’m more comfortable not trading him by the deadline if TC is certain he can re-sign Naz at a price that gets us under the second apron. But we need to accept that not trading Randle by the deadline means we won’t be able to keep NAW.

[Q-is-here]

I am one of the two no votes. Ju seems to be fitting in better (I’m not as upset as some about him leaving the bench for the last second of the warriors game). His style bugs me at times (such a sloppy handle!), but he is terrific at drawing the double and making the right pass. Ant is really improving in this area too. Ju was close to a triple double again tonight, and I just don’t know that we can make a trade that would make me happy…I’m very much against including the Detroit pick. Now if somehow TC could pull a rabbit out of his hat, I wouildnt be opposed. But absent that, I’m okay with losing NAW if Ju opts in (even though I love the guy).

It's interesting how as he has taken less shots and been more of a cog versus a centerpiece, our offense has started to take off.

Earlier in the season and as recently as a couple weeks ago I found it so bizarre how Julius-centric our offense had become when we literally have one of the most dangerous scorers on the planet in Anthony Edwards.

Well, now it appears that we're back to an Ant-centric offense with everyone else pitching in. And it's working! We have the #8 offense in the month of January. I especially like that Randle is using his big body to go dig out some offensive rebounds and put backs.

Very interesting development with Randle. No doubt Finch is responsible for this change in Randle’s role. It’s certainly long overdue. Not sure whether the delay was Finch being slow to figure it out or Randle resisting. In any event, it’s good to see. I wonder whether Randle will accept this role. If so, then I’m more comfortable not trading him by the deadline if TC is certain he can re-sign Naz at a price that gets us under the second apron. But we need to accept that not trading Randle by the deadline means we won’t be able to keep NAW.

....and the front office should be telling his agent that there is zero guarantee he starts next season if we re-sign Naz. If he's going to opt in, then he needs to accept potentially coming off the bench. Start building those expectations now.

[Wolvesfan21]

I voted maybe, but not based on how he or the Wolves perform over the next few games. My maybe is based on what we get back or have to give up to trade him. So I’m a yes if the deal (1) does not require us to give up the Detroit pick, our 2025 2nd from Utah or more than 1 future 2nd; and (2) we save significant salary next season without any increase in salary after next season.

I think the chances of finding a deal that meets those two criteria are pretty slim. A viable trade partner would have to be a contending team that needs inside scoring and has cap room to give us some salary relief. And I would stay away from doing a deal with any Western Conference contenders. That leaves only two potential destinations - Orlando and Detroit. I can’t come up with a workable, realistic deal with Orlando. So I’m thinking Detroit might be our best bet. One possibility might be Randle for Harris. The deal would trim $4.3 million from next year’s payroll, which would give us a little more breathing room to make sure we can sign Naz and get under the 2nd apron. I think Randle is better and more valuable than Harris if the fit is right. I think he’d fit better in Detroit than here. So I’d want a future 2nd round pick back from Detroit as part of the deal. I’d push for Toronto’s 2025 2nd but we’d probably have to settle for Detroit’s 2027 and 2028 picks. The Pistons have their own 2nd rounders those two years plus the Mavs’ 2nd in 2027 and the Clippers 2nd in 2028.

You have to keep in mind that not trading Randle probably means losing one or both of Naz and NAW. The team gets substantially worse without those two. I think you have to consider making a deal with the pick. Picks are no guarantees of anything. We got players now who we like and need. One bird in the bush versus Two in the hand.

As I noted in my trade deadline post, it looks like we could sign Naz to a deal starting at up to $25 million next season and get just below the second apron if Randle opts in - assuming the cap increases by the max 10%. But we wouldn’t be able to sign NAW or use the MLE and we’d still be above the 1st apron.

So I agree the case for trading Randle before the deadline is strong. But trading him is probably NOT essential to meet our two main goals: re-signing Naz, and getting below the second apron.

If we can get a Cam Johnson in return for Randle and the Detroit pick then I’d say ok if we can meet our two main goals. Otherwise, I wouldn’t give up that pick to move a 20/10 player like Randle just to trim payroll.

I think it still hurts because then Naz is still in a backup position. He may feel like he is due to be a starter and get starter money. I still question that reality in the long term, mostly because Naz simply still doesn't rebound well enough for his position and size. Can he defend and rebound at a high enough level. And our rebounding has struggled lately.

There is possibly of a scenario where we get a different PF for Randle on a longer term deal (one who shoots the 3, defends and rebounds well, the opposite skillset of Randle) and possibly let Naz go, resign NAW instead. There are many different options to go.

[Phenom]

A far riskier option would be Julius opting in, resigning NAW and Naz and trading Julius later in the summer to a team like BKN if they don't use up all their space. This, in theory wouldn't cost the Wolves too much since he will then be on an expiring and wouldn't impact BKN space the following summer.

[Wolvesfan21]

A far riskier option would be Julius opting in, resigning NAW and Naz and trading Julius later in the summer to a team like BKN if they don't use up all their space. This, in theory wouldn't cost the Wolves too much since he will then be on an expiring and wouldn't impact BKN space the following summer.

I don't know all the ramifications but I know it's not a good idea to be a second apron team again next year. Like we start forfieting picks and stuff.

[Phenom]

A far riskier option would be Julius opting in, resigning NAW and Naz and trading Julius later in the summer to a team like BKN if they don't use up all their space. This, in theory wouldn't cost the Wolves too much since he will then be on an expiring and wouldn't impact BKN space the following summer.

I don't know all the ramifications but I know it's not a good idea to be a second apron team again next year. Like we start forfieting picks and stuff.

They would have to the end of the NBA year to get under the 2nd apron but they need a plan to dump salary before the June 30th deadline. Trading Julius to BKN in the summer if they have the room would allow that but as I said, risky.

[Lipoli390]

A far riskier option would be Julius opting in, resigning NAW and Naz and trading Julius later in the summer to a team like BKN if they don't use up all their space. This, in theory wouldn't cost the Wolves too much since he will then be on an expiring and wouldn't impact BKN space the following summer.

I don't know all the ramifications but I know it's not a good idea to be a second apron team again next year. Like we start forfieting picks and stuff.

They would have to the end of the NBA year to get under the 2nd apron but they need a plan to dump salary before the June 30th deadline. Trading Julius to BKN in the summer if they have the room would allow that but as I said, risky.

I don’t think they can trade Julius after the end of this season. His contract ends after the season. He then becomes a cap hold with an opt-in right. In that status he could only be traded as a sign-and-trade but the Wolves can’t sign-and-trade their players because they’re over the 2nd apron. Here’s what we face. If we don’t trade Randle by the February deadline we won’t be able to trade him this summer and he’ll likely op in. As a result, we won’t be able to re-sign NAW and we will barely have a cap room to re-sign Naz and still get under the 2nd apron assuming he’s willing to accept a contract that starts at no more than around $25 million next season and the cap goes up by the max 10%. We’d still be over the 1st apron and close to the 2nd apron, which means we would not have the financial flexibility to add any consequential players. In other words, we’d be the same team next season as this one minus NAW. I don’t know how any Wolves fan could get excited about that prospect.

Whether Randle is traded or not by the Feb. deadline, the key for next season and beyond remains the development of our young guys - mainly TSJ and Dilly - but also Minott, Miller and Clark.

[Phenom]

Once Julius opts in he would be under a one year expiring contract. He would be very tradeable. The question is if they could dump him before June 30 to avoid the 2nd apron repeater penalties. Most likely it would be a few weeks into the summer when a team like BKN has nothing going for them and can absorb the contract.