Timberwolves forward Julius Randle plans to return on Sunday at Phoenix after missing 13 games with a right groin strain, sources tell NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link).
It’s a much-needed boost for Minnesota, which is locked in a tight race for playoff positioning in the West. The Wolves went 5-8 during Randle’s absence and have fallen into a tie for ninth place at 32-29.
Randle, who hasn’t played since January 30, was acquired from the Knicks in early October in a controversial trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. The 30-year-old big man has been a solid addition in his first season with Minnesota, averaging 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists through 48 games while shooting 47% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range.
There has been an adjustment process for Randle while learning to play alongside Rudy Gobert, but Towns went through the same experience after Gobert was acquired from Utah.
Randle has been able to bounce back from the shoulder injury that limited him to 46 games in 2023/24 and ended his season early. Before the groin issue, he hadn’t missed a game since coming to Minnesota.
Randle’s future with the Wolves beyond this season remains uncertain, as he holds a $30.9MM player option for 2025/26. There was some trade chatter leading up to last month’s deadline, but the Wolves decided to hold onto him and deal with the contract issue this summer.
Randle can either decline the option and test free agency, exercise it and commit to one more season in Minnesota, or try to parlay it into a long-term contract. Regardless of his decision, it will have a major impact on the Wolves’ offseason and the future of the franchise.
Gobert, who has been sidelined since February 12 with a back issue, is also expected to return soon as the Wolves get healthier for the stretch drive.
In a hypothetical league made up of the 50 states plus Puerto Rico & Canada, how would Texas fare with a squad of guys like Cade/Maxey/Smart/JButler/JuRandle/MTurner? Could/would they win it all? What weaknesses would they have if any?
DFW legend… link to m.youtube.com
So much potential. Not sure if Minnesota’s current team design makes sense for Julius’ skill set. I expect a big shakeup with their roster. Maybe even trade ANT.
Yeah the Wolves went all in Gobert and then traded the major reason to get Gobert KAT…
Other than McDaniels there aren’t many near keepers for 2 way reasons…
“Trade Ant” is a crazy statement considering that they turned down a Luka trade.
Wolves FO is in this position because they mishandled the roster. Gobert should have been traded instead of Kat. And even though trading Kat was the wrong move, they could have gotten a better fit. Randle has a redundant skill set to McDaniels, Alexander-Walker and Reid. Ant is the only true bucket getter on this team. He needs help.
Timberpuppies tried to pair KAT with an assortment of support players. The league is littered with Former Timberpuppies who did not work out along side KAT. After the future mortgaging, ludicrous, trade for Gobert, they FINALLY realized the problem was not the hoards of players they tried out in support of KAT: the problem WAS KAT. Getting Randle was just the price that had to be paid to unload KAT and his contract. Team management and new ownership hopes that Randle opts out after this year and the team is clear of him too. If he stays and exercises the player option he won’t be in Minnesota long enough to see the end of his player option in Minnesota. Remember: this is the same organization that passed on Steph Curry and opted to draft Jonny Flynn instead. (Along with a long history of bone-head moves since the franchise began in 1989.) But then what type of long term existence would you expect performance wise from an organization that makes it’s first ever draft choice POOH?