Julius Randle will enter his second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick from the New York Knicks for Karl-Anthony Towns.
In his first season with the Timberwolves, Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 69 games.
Randle elevated his game in the playoffs, averaging 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 15 postseason appearances, helping the Timberwolves return to the Western Conference Finals.
Julius Randle credits Draymond Green for being a small ball five, is looking to take ‘a page out of that book’
Randle had a slow start to his first season with the Timberwolves before finding his footing and thriving down the stretch.
Randle developed solid chemistry with Rudy Gobert and proved to be a lethal secondary scoring option alongside Anthony Edwards.
Randle should be able to get out to a better start this season and he could even play some small ball center. He said he has taken some inspiration from Draymond Green with that.
“I’m not [tall] like Rudy, but I got good quick feet, I’m strong, good hands, stuff like that. I can get to the spots earlier. I can deter things.
“Credit Draymond being able to establish that small ball five. And Draymond, he’s long, but he’s not 7’3 but he’s in position there. He’s there early, deterrent, drives guys from getting to places.
“So kind of taking a page out of that book, using my voice, using my feet, my quickness, kind of try to be all over the floor and be there early and often.”
Julius Randle’s elite play is the key to the Minnesota Timberwolves taking the next step
Randle has a new three-year, $100 million contract with the Timberwolves which brings him some security with the team.
Randle is coming off a solid postseason, which included a dominant second-round series against the Golden State Warriors where he averaged 25.2 points per game.
Randle looked comfortable in the Timberwolves offense. His shot creation and playmaking proved to be a perfect fit next to Edwards, making Randle an elite second option.
Minnesota is going to need that version of Randle if they want to reach new heights this season. The Timberwolves were the No. 6 seed last season, but they were only two games back of the No. 2 seed.
If Randle and company get off to a hot start, the Timberwolves could claim a top seed on their way to another playoff run.
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