Julius Randle No-Shows Timberwolves’ Final Press Conference

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Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Timberwolves saw their season come to an end after an embarrassing 139-109 Game 6 home loss against the San Antonio Spurs Friday night. Even after Anthony Edwards returned in heroic fashion, and against all odds, for Game 1, some of his highest-paid teammates let the Wolves’ superstar down.

Jaden McDaniels, after an incredible performance on both sides of the floor against Denver in round one, struggled to provide anything of value offensively in round two, shooting 39.1% from the floor and 33.3% from deep against the Spurs.

Without Donte DiVincenzo in the lineup (torn achilles), the Minnesota Timberwolves struggled to initiate offense, or even get the ball up court, at times when San Antonio decided to make life hard on Edwards.

Then there’s Rudy Gobert, who couldn’t provide the same help on defense, because he was oftentimes guarding Victor Wembanyama, who also took away what his fellow countryman provides on offense, which is mostly built of pick & roll lobs + offensive rebounds.

Julius Randle no-shows press conference

Of course, nobody was more frustrating through both rounds of the NBA Playoffs as Julius Randle, who was acquired with Donte DiVincenzo, in exchange for Karl Anthony Towns.

Anthony Edwards was at the podium Saturday, when MN Timberwolves players met with media the day after Friday night’s loss. He had plenty to say, as did most of the Wolves’ regular rotation players… except Julius Randle.

After finishing with just three points and a -34 plus/minus in Game 6, and struggling for much of the postseason, Randle sidestepped his final press conference with reporters for undisclosed reasons.

In two seasons with the Timberwolves, the former Kentucky standout has averaged 20.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. During the Spurs series, he averaged just 12.8 points per game, shooting 34.2% from the field and a a horrendous 4-for-21 from deep.

Expect Randle trade rumors to intensify.

There’s no doubt Tim Connelly will have serious discussions this offseason that could send Julius Randle packing. My guess is he knows that too, which might be why he decided not to speak with reporters on Saturday.

It’s been no secret that the Wolves shopped Randle hard at the trade deadline. This isn’t the first time it’s been reported but Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) confirmed that Julius’ involvement in rumors turned him off so noticeably that it affected both his game and demeanor, whether on or off the court.

[The Timberwolves’ trade efforts] were well known throughout the league and in their own locker room. It did seem to have an adverse effect on the existing roster around the trade deadline. Randle, in particular, went through a rough stretch of performances that coaches and teammates believed were directly connected to his name being bandied about in trade rumors.

Jon Krawczynski – The Athletic

Giannis Antetokounmpo is now more available than ever, and there have already been reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves will make a run at him again. Connelly has other options to choose from too, now that the season is over and teams are more willing to do business, should the price for Milwaukee’s prove to expensive.

Will Julius Randle return to MN Timberwolves next season?

Whether he is part of a deal that lands Giannis, or some other trade, there’s good reason to believe Julius Randle will be on his way out of the Twin Cities this offseason. In fact, after what has been reported the last couple days, it seems more inevitable than ever.

According to Chris Hine (Star Tribune), the Wolves locker room had its issues this year, much of which revolved around touches and involvement in the offense, after Ant took over at point guard.

Naz Reid also mentioned “moodiness” as part of the MN Timberwolves downfall this season. Randle himself is no stranger to that definition, and moving him before it has adverse effects next season seems like a wise strategy.

But a deeper look behind the curtain reveals a lack of connectivity and chemistry between Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle as what may have really done in the MN Timberwolves this postseason.

“I hoped that it would be a little bit better. There’s no basketball reason why we shouldn’t be able to be a little bit better there. They both play in the same rhythm, but I feel like it kind of feels like it’s maybe ‘your turn, my turn’ a bit rather than having like a two-man game such as Denver has with [Jamal] Murray and [Nikola] Jokic.

Chris Finch – Star Tribune
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