{"id":139008,"date":"2025-05-12T07:52:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T11:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=139008"},"modified":"2025-05-12T07:52:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T11:52:47","slug":"give-timberwolves-trade-addition-julius-randle-flowers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/05\/12\/give-timberwolves-trade-addition-julius-randle-flowers\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Time To Give Timberwolves Trade Addition His Flowers"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s only been a few months since the Minnesota Timberwolves were nearly unanimously perceived as the losers<\/a> of the blockbuster deal that saw Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> sent to the New York Knicks in exchange for a trade package headlined by Julius Randle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Knicks got off to a hot start in 2024-25, Towns\u2019s combination of length and shot-making ability opened up the court and took pressure off of Jalen Brunson<\/a>. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves stumbled out of the gate. Randle\u2019s scoring mentality was too pronounced when he shrunk the court with his shot-selection.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Time To Give Timberwolves\u2019 Julius Randle His Flowers<\/h2>\n

On Jan. 30, Randle got hurt, missing about a month with a groin strain<\/a>. In that time, the three-time All-Star was able to see what it was his team really needed from him. Or, as he put it<\/a> (per ESPN Andscape\u2019s Marc J. Spears):<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I got injured those few weeks, I was able to see what the team needed, kind of see better how things are done and how I can best help us win games… It was just learning the teammates, learning the system, adjusting…\u201d<\/p>\n

The key adjustment that he made?<\/p>\n

\"\"
May 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) backs towards the basket as Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) plays defense in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Making more plays for others.<\/p>\n

After returning from his injury on March 2, Randle averaged 5.2 assists per game. To be fair, in the 48 previous games, Randle averaged 4.5 assists per game. However, Randle recorded five or more assists in 12 of the 21 games (57.1 percent) he played post-injury. For comparison, he recorded five or more assists in 19 of the previous 48 games (39.6 percent).<\/p>\n

Thus, while the mean difference doesn\u2019t seem significant, the frequency difference highlights Randle\u2019s in-season revolution.<\/p>\n

\n

I mean what an absurd kickout pass from Julius Randle… wow pic.twitter.com\/9hTjgye2iO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jonah (@Huncho_Jman) March 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n