Ranking realistic trade destinatons for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle…
If there is anyone willing to take a risk on trading for Randle it’s the Chicago Bulls. They’re clearly in rebuilding mode and will also likely be looking to deal at the NBA trade deadline as well.
There’s been trade rumors surrounding Lonzo Ball, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic all season. Since trading away DeMar DeRozan, the Bulls have tried to push the pace more offensively. With DeRozan, the ball stayed stagnant and forced the team to adapt to his iso style of play. The addition of Randle gives them a legit power forward that can keep up with their new style of play.
Some of the issues Minnesota has been having with Randle has been his chemistry playing alongside Rudy Gobert. Because he demands so much room in the post, it has clogged up space for Randle. He isn’t used to that. In Chicago, he would playing alongside Vucevic, who like him is capable of stretching the floor. Which would give Randle space to work in the post more often than he’s been given with the Wolves.
Although things haven’t gone well for Randle in Minnesota, he is still a very talented power forward. Possibly, the tremendous amount of pressure put him on to perform has interfered with his game. With the Bulls, he wouldn’t have nearly as much pressure, and more opportunities to be a playmaker offensively. Sort of like he was used to doing during his tenure with the New York Knicks.
Patrick Williams is a decent option at power forward, but Randle would be a huge upgrade for Chicago. He isn’t nearly as active on the glass as Randle, doesn’t score as much or as efficiently.
Chicago has many options they could offer Minnesota, which alone makes them a front runner. Due to the Wolves’ lack of financial flexibility, they’ll need teams with moveable contracts to match Randle’s $33 million per year contract. The Bulls have options that would attract Minnesota like a distributing point guard like Ball, or a scorer like White.
While those are great trade options for the Wolves, the Los Angeles Clippers may have more attractive trade possibilities.
