Over the summer, Julius Randle saw himself traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster. Months later, one former player turned analyst let out a bold take on the trade.
Before the trade, the Timberwolves reached the conference finals, with Towns being a key piece to their success. Along with Randle's production taking a dip, Minnesota has plummeted in the Western Conference standings this season.
While on NBA Countdown Wednesday night, NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins reflected on the KAT-Randle trade. He feels it is on track to becoming one of the worst trades in NBA history.
"It's the Minnesota Timberwolves, they're the most disappointing team," Perkins said. "The way that it's trending right now, they're on the verge of making the worst trade in NBA history."
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During his time with the New York Knicks, Randle was an All-Star and All-NBA level talent. That said, he's struggled to have similar success with his new team. Randle is averaging 18.9 points this season, his lowest since 2017-18 season.
As we hit the halfway point in the schedule, Minnesota is eighth in the Western Conference with a 23-21 record.
NBA analyst shoots down hypothetical Julius Randle trade
With how things have gone through the first half of the season, many have called for the Timberwolves to move on from Julius Randle. On Tuesday, one NBA analyst shot down a hypothetical trade where Minnesota would land a complementary piece.
While on his podcast, Kevin O'Connor touched on a framework he received from a fan on social media. In the scenario, the Timberwolves send Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for forward Cam Johnson. O'Connor didn't agree with the layout, stating the Nets would be better off going in a different direction.
"Obviously, you'd need to have some picks involved in a deal here," O'Connor said. "But I think for Cam Johnson, Brooklyn could probably do better than that, I would rather hold on to him. I don't see them settling for a deal like that." (20:20)
As a long three-and-D wing, Johnson would make a lot of sense for the Timberwolves alongside a star like Anthony Edwards. However, taking on a former All-Star in Julius Randle is not something the Nets are looking to do.
They are in the midst of a rebuild and looking to stockpile young promising talent. Adding Randle could raise their floor, impacting their odds of getting a high draft pick.
With his play falling off since being dealt, it's unlikely a market would form for Randle if he was made available. The only thing the Timberwolves can do is try to make it work with him, Edwards and Rudy Gobert.
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