The Minnesota Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks before the season, and so far, it looks like New York won the trade.
KAT has been excellent for the Knicks; he was just named an All-Star starter in the Eastern Conference alongside Jalen Brunson.
Meanwhile in Minnesota, Julius Randle hasn’t been a great fit. Word on the street is that the Wolves are more than open to trading Randle before the deadline, and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons has come up with an interesting three-team proposal that would send Randle to the Pistons.
The Trade
Bucks receive…
– Tobias Harris
Wolves receive…
– Khris Middleton
Pistons receive…
– Julius Randle
“So Detroit’s taking almost $8 million extra salary to “upgrade” from Harris to Randle … maybe for this year and next year if (Randle) opts in,” Simmons said during the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast.
“Minnesota is saving a little money and getting rid of the Julius Randle issue that’s kind of haunted them all season.”
“And Milwaukee’s saving money.”
While the Bucks and Wolves could benefit from adding new wings to their rotations in Harris and Middleton, respectively, Simmons’ guest on the podcast, Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor, didn’t like the trade idea for the Pistons.
“I don’t want Randle clogging the lane for Cade (Cunningham) when things are finally opening up for him.”
Fair point.
The question remains, what is the market for Randle right now? Are the Wolves stuck with him until his contract runs out, possibly as late as a season-and-a-half from now?
More NBA: Ranking Kawhi Leonard and the other Top-30 NBA players of all time
