Julius Randle enters his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have acquired their first round picks from Julius Randle, Donte Divinsenzo and Karl Anthony Towns’ New York Knicks.
In his first season with the Timberwolves, Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 69 games.
Randle promoted his game in the playoffs, averaging 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 15 postseason appearances, helping the Timberwolves return to the Western Conference Finals.
Randle started off slowly in his first season with the Timberwolves before finding his footing to thrive the stretch.
Randle developed a solid chemistry with Rudy Gortbert, and has proven to be a fatal secondary scoring option alongside Anthony Edwards.
Randle has gotten off to a better start this season, and he even managed to play a small ball center. He said he took inspiration from Draymond Green.
“I’m not like Rudy, but I walked straight away. I’m strong, my hands, that’s what I’m like. I can get to the spot sooner. I can discourage things.
“Credit Draymond can establish that little ball five. And Draymond, he’s long, but he’s not 7’3, but he’s there.
“Take the pages from that book, use my voice, use my feet, use my speed, be on the whole floor, and be there quickly, often.”
Randle has a three-year, new $100 million contract with Timberwolves, bringing some security to the team.
Randle has come out of a solid postseason. This included the dominant second-round series against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 25.2 points per game.
Randle looked comfortable in the Timberwolves attack. His shot creation and playmaking proved to be perfect next to Edwards, making Randle the second option for the elite.
Minnesota will need that version of Randle if they want to reach new heights this season. The Timberwolves were the No. 6 seed last season, but only after the second seed two games.
If Randle and the company got off to a hot start, the Timberwolves could claim top seed on their way to another playoff run.