Why won’t Julius Randle be available for Timberwolves Media Day? Understanding reason for All-Star forward’s absence

The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a blockbuster three-team trade Friday, landing star forward Julius Randle from the New York Knicks. However, the deal isn't expected to be finalized in time for Randle to be available for Monday's NBA Media Day.

Per The Athletic's Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski's Friday report, Minnesota is shipping star big man Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. In exchange, it will receive Randle, sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo, forward Keita Bates-Diop and a 2025 protected first-round pick via the Detroit Pistons.

The Knicks are also sending the Charlotte Hornets draft compensation and salary filler to help facilitate the trade.

According to a Sunday follow-up report from ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the deal "is still on track, but not completed yet." Shelburne added that it is expected to be finalized "early this week," meaning "the players involved will not be at Media Day."

The Timberwolves' Media Day proceedings are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET on Monday at Target Center. While Randle isn't expected to be present, his reported addition will likely be a hot topic of discussion among the organization's coaches and players.

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Julius Randle trade marks gamble for Minnesota after 2024 playoff success

Before Friday, Minnesota was seemingly playing it safe this offseason. Coming off its first Western Conference finals berth since 2004, the franchise spent most of the summer rounding out its bench rotation.

The Timberwolves' main free-agency signings were bargain-bin veterans Joe Ingles and PJ Dozier. Moreover, their most noteworthy trade addition was 2024 No. 8 draft pick Rob Dillingham, giving them a guard prospect with scoring and playmaking upside.

Minnesota appeared to primarily be banking on the continuity of last year's core, headlined by rising superstar wing Anthony Edwards. A large part of the team's identity was its twin-tower frontcourt star tandem of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.

The Timberwolves' size and athleticism helped them achieve the league's No. 1 defensive rating (108.4). However, they struggled to generate complementary offense at times, finishing only 17th in offensive rating (114.6). That issue persisted in the West finals against the Dallas Mavericks, with Minnesota falling 4-1.

Swapping Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo should alter the Timberwolves' playstyle on both ends of the floor. While they lost size and frontcourt spacing, they added physicality, toughness, interior scoring and backcourt shooting.

Time will tell whether the move pays off. Regardless, Minnesota should look very different this upcoming season.

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