The Timberwolves are back in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year and the third time in franchise history. And while Minnesota has returned to the same stage it advanced to in 2024, things look much different this time around.
Days before training camp for the 2024-25 season, the Wolves caught the basketball world by storm with a blockbuster trade that sent former No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for three-time All-Star Julius Randle.
The deal was puzzling to some, as Minnesota was months removed from a thrilling run to the West Finals and came within three wins of the NBA Finals. Early returns weren’t the best either, but the Wolves won 17 of their final 21 games to finish with a 49-33 record, and Randle’s resurgence played a large role.
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Here’s a look back at the trade Minnesota executed to acquire Randle and a closer look at the numbers that have propelled the team’s success.
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Julius Randle trade, revisited
Julus Randle trade details
Timberwolves receive:
- Julius Randle
- Donte DiVincenzo
- 2025 first-round draft pick (via Pistons)
Knicks receive:
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Draft rights to James Nnaji
Hornets receive:
- DaQuan Jeffries
- Charlie Brown
- Duane Washington Jr.
- Cash considerations (unspecified)
- Three second-round picks (one via Timberwolves, two via Knicks)
MORE: How Julius Randle has flipped his playoff narrative with the Timberwolves
Julius Randle trade grades
At the time of the deal, most outlets favored the Knicks in the real. The Sporting News’ Steph Noh gave Minnesota a C, while giving New York an A- for its move to acquire Towns.
After the two teams met in January, the Wolves were just a few games above .500, and the team’s flaws looked unfixable. A regrade of the deal docked Minnesota down to a D+, which should serve as a reminder of how quickly things change.
Since Randle’s return to the lineup in early March, the Timberwolves have posted a 26-6 record (regular season and playoffs combined) with him in the lineup to advance to the conference finals.
After a few months of getting acclimated to a new role in a new system, Randle has found his stride as a scorer, rebounder and playmaker. He’s making a difference on both ends of the floor and dispelling narratives that he cannot perform at the playoff level.
Not for nothing, the deal also netted DiVincenzo, who has stepped into a key role as a reserve for the Wolves. The refreshed personnel have paid dividends for the team during their run.
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Julius Randle Timberwolves stats
Regular season stats
- 18.7 points per game
- 7.1 rebounds per game
- 4.7 assists per game
- 48.5 percent field goal shooting
- 34.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 80.6 percent free throw shooting
2025 NBA Playoffs stats
- 23.9 points per game
- 5.9 rebounds per game
- 5.9 assists per game
- 50.9 percent field goal shooting
- 34.5 percent 3-point shooting
- 88.9 percent free throw shooting
