The Minnesota Timberwolves have seen a sharp decline this season. At 25-21, they have gone from the top of the conference to fighting for a spot in the Play-In Tournament with the season halfway done.
The Timberwolves could do something about this. A trade could be in the works if they believe their core isn’t working. Julius Randle has been floated in multiple trade scenarios, but Minnesota shouldn’t get rid of him primarily just to get rid of him.
The right player should be traded back to them. ESPN floated someone who might fit the bill: Portland Trail Blazers wing Jerami Grant.
After naming the Timberwolves among the best possible fits for Grant, ESPN then proposed a trade, swapping Randle for Grant. The basis of the trade would be that Grant would help with their spacing. Grant may fit the Timberwolves better than Randle would, but there is a problem.
Grant will be expensive to pay long-term
One reason the Timberwolves traded for Randle is the cap flexibility he gives them. He has a player option for 2026, which he will likely opt into, but at least he gives Minnesota an expiring contract.
Acquiring Grant undoes that, as his contract runs until 2028. If Grant proves his worth, that could be worth it, but by the time his contract ends, he will be 33 years old. For everything that Grant brings to the table, he is not a star. Randle hasn’t returned to his All-Star status either
He might be a better fit than Randle, but the Timberwolves would only do a trade like this if they believed Grant would elevate them back to contender status.
Trading Randle for someone better would make sense for Minnesota, but it’s debatable whether Grant fits that bill.
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