NBA Trade Rumors: Timberwolves eyeing $30.9 million forward's replacement to boost trio with Anthony Edwards & Rudy Gobert

The Minnesota Timberwolves, coming off a 2024 conference finals run, were expected to be among the frontrunners in a stacked Western Conference. But a blockbuster trade later, halfway through the 2024-25 season, they find themselves hovering just above the .500 mark and in the play-in picture.

While things have not reached an alarming point where a trade or reshuffle is almost unavoidable, the elephant in the room demands discussion — the fit between their newly assembled big three of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle.

The Timberwolves "big three" in action v Chicago Bulls (Image Source: Getty)

The team's centerpiece is, without a question, Edwards, and it would appear sensible to retain Gobert, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, with his proven fit with the star guard. However, the decision to trade out of Karl-Anthony Towns' contract to acquire former All-Star Randle and Donte DiVincenzo has not proven to be the "addition by subtraction" move the Timberwolves brass anticipated.

Reports suggest that the Timberwolves are already looking to move on from Randle. Forbes' Evan Sidery reported that rival executives are anticipating offers from the Wolves ahead of February's trade deadline.

Randle, who is primarily a scoring option, has recorded the best numbers of his career in circumstances where he gets to handle the ball and dominate touches. Team success had evaded him until the recent seasons with the New York Knicks, where he played a more diminished role than usual with the emergence of Jalen Brunson.

But while the Knicks roster complemented Randle's defensive shortcomings and an inconsistent 3-point shot, the Timberwolves have just not managed to do the same, and a 23-21 record at this stage points at the experiment heading toward failure.

Randle is owed $33,073,920 in guaranteed salary for the 2024-25 season and retains a player option worth $30,935,520 for the upcoming season. As reported by Sidery, the general expectation is that the 2021 Most Improved Player triggers his player option, and to trade away from his contract while he retains value is what the Wolves appear to be targeting.

Julius Randle is averaging 18.9 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Timberwolves, his lowest tallies since 2017-18

Not only have Julius Randle's point and rebound totals decreased, but the former All-Star's average minutes have also gone down to only averaging 33 minutes a game — his lowest tally in over five years.

Replacing Karl-Anthony Towns' scoring and 3-point threat would always have been difficult, but in seeking to escape luxury tax troubles, the Minnesota Timberwolves seem to have hampered their momentum toward a championship charge. Moving Randle for a package that includes win-now pieces that fit in better and offer better floor spacing and defense appears to be the priority at Minnesota.

Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns matching up in their new teams after being traded for each other (Image Source: Getty)

Randle can also receive a more lucrative contract extension if he improves his numbers across the board in 2025-26, his contract year. Unless coach Chris Finch and his staff drastically change their style of play, it is unlikely that Minnesota will be the place where such an uptick in statistical production happens for the former LA Lakers big man.

With the NBA world speculating about prospective trades involving Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal, the rumor mill has not particularly paid heed to Julius Randle. But there is still time until the trade deadline, and the Timberwolves will certainly look to improve their fortunes and appease their homegrown superstar.