The Minnesota Timberwolves have finally completed the passing of the torch, trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. In exchange, the Timberwolves received Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, who were preparing to play reduced roles in the Knicks’ reworked rotation. Initially, the sense from NBA fans was that the Knicks had won the trade, as they presumably received the better player. Others have taken the wait-and-see approach.
Timberwolves defensive anchor Rudy Gobert chose to take a different route. He has plenty of confidence in Randle, acknowledging the team will have to alter their style, but refusing to believe it will change their identity.
Timberwolves Anchor Rudy Gobert Assesses New Co-Star Julius Randle’s Fit
“I think our identity stays the same,” Gobert tells Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina. “We’re a defensive team. We want to be the best defensive team in this league. KAT is a one-of-a-kind player. So obviously we’re going to have to fill the gaps with the talent that he brings to the table.
We’re going to do that as a team. We’re going to try to play faster… to try to move the ball even more. It’s going to take a team effort to accomplish that.”
“He’s a very smart player. He’s very versatile,” Gobert continues as he dives into the Randle acquisition. “I think that I’m going to be able to help him with my screening, with my spacing and my gravity and make his life even easier. I’ll try to get him as many easy baskets as he can get.
He’s a guy that I know will make the right play. When the defense collapses, I know he’s good at kicking out. When the big helps, he’s good at finding his bigs. He’s a very smart player. We got a lot of games to get used to making mistakes and learn how to maximize him for us as a team.”
Still A Title Contender?
Gobert stating that Minnesota should play faster and move the ball more sounds sensible.
Last week, Last Word on Sports broke down the ways in which Randle would improve his new team’s ball-movement. Randle is a superior off-the-dribble scorer and playmaker to Towns, which could make the ball pop around the court more. In that event, the Timberwolves should generate easier shot attempts because Randle is a more capable facilitator than Towns or the defense being forced to shift more.
Randle is also more athletic than Towns, aiding their efforts to pick up the pace. One of the better players in transition, Randle will often attack before defenses are set. He, Anthony Edwards, and Jaden McDaniels filling the lane with Gobert trailing puts a lot of pressure on the rim.
There were many questions about Randle’s fit because Towns has a pure jumper and exceptional length. However, there may not have been enough discussion about Randle’s offensive strengths. Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, has delivered a scouting report that should ease some concerns.
As long as the defense holds up, which would require Randle buying into that end, the Timberwolves still have a chance to reach the NBA Finals.
