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NBA Insider Floats Realistic Julius Randle Trade Opportunity for Timberwolves
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- NBA Insider Floats Realistic Julius Randle Trade Opportunity for Timberwolves
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The Minnesota Timberwolves might think they found themselves by dominating the defense-less Denver Nuggets . But there might be an opportunity to improve the team by trading Julius Randle and starting Naz Reid in his place.
Related: 3 Minnesota Timberwolves Problems Solved vs the Nuggets
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The Minnesota Timberwolves' spacing problem
The loss of Karl-Anthony Towns and the arrival of Randle has had a predictable impact. Minnesota's lack of spacing takes away driving lanes for Anthony Edwards . It's why the Timberwolves shoot the eighth-worst percentage on drives to the basket (45.5 percent). Last season they were top-10 (50.1 percent). Edwards often has to beat three players en route to the rim now.
You could argue that Naz Reid should be starting over Randle. Reid helps spread the floor and is basically the same player as Randle based on net rating, except he's the better ball handler, the better rebounder, and the better shooter. But ESPN's Kevin Pelton has floated a Julius Randle trade that would undoubtedly improve the Minnesota Timberwolves' spacing.
Another possib[le fit for Jerami Grant ] would be if the Timberwolves are interested in swapping Julius Randle for Grant in pursuit of improved floor spacing with their starting five. Portland could get out of Grant's contract entirely if Randle declines his $29.5 million player option for 2025-26.
Would the Timberwolves really start Jerami Grant over Naz Reid?
Why Pelton thinks Grant would start over Naz Reid, I don't know. Grant has a net rating of -7.8 but he does shoot close to 38 percent from three. Reid shoots 41 percent, though. Grant also has a rebound percentage of five. Five! Reid rebounds at double that rate.
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Even if Grant comes off the bench for Minnesota he'd provide better spacing given his three-point shooting. He shoots more than six per game, so teams would have to respect that threat. Paying Grant $34 million to come off the bench would be a bit wild, but if the Timberwolves can rehab Grant into a 20-point scorer again, they could flip him before next season.
Related: Does a Jerami Grant for Julius Randle Trade Make Sense for the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Jerami Grant improves the MN Timberwolves' salary cap situation
A Julius Randle trade for Jerami Grant does allow the MN Timberwolves to stay above the salary cap for a bit longer. If Randle doesn't pick up his $29.5-million player option for next season, Minnesota would be unable to add a max contract given their luxury tax status. These max contracts are like golden trade chips these days, so having one, even a bad one, ain't so bad.
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The Timberwolves do need to sign Naz Reid and impending free agent Nickeil Alexander-Walker . They have up to $8.78 million in trade exceptions available to sign Alexander-Walker. Perhaps Grant provides Minnesota the ability to stay above the luxury tax AND eventually sign Naz Reid long term.
Regardless, it would put a team on the floor that would benefit the Timberwolves' superstar, Anthony Edwards. It is also projected to increase the Timberwolves' win total by one this season, according to ESPN's NBA Trade Machine .
We talked about 10 Julius Randle trades the ESPN NBA Trade Machine deemed successful on the latest live episode of Minnesota Foul Play-by-play. Jerami Grant wasn't one of them, but there were at least a couple we liked. I didn't like this one upon hearing it, but if it results in a long-term deal for Naz Reid, bring on Jerami Grant.
