The latest fake trade gives the Timberwolves an excellent way to salvage the Randle situation

On By Littum

It’s trade season in the NBA, and plenty of deals are being envisioned for every team in the league. Various ways to improve may be on the horizon for many competing teams. When it comes to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ situation, the most obvious move they could potentially make would involve trading Julius Randle.

We’ve seen enough of a sample size now to know that Randle’s fit with this Wolves roster is shaky at best. His impending free agent decision this summer will have the potential to hamper the team’s long-term decision-making by forcing them to part ways with other valuable contributors. As such, trading him at the deadline could be their best option.

This week Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report made a fake trade for every NBA team. In the one he envisioned for the Timberwolves, Minnesota sends Julius Randle to the San Antonio Spurs and gets back three players in return: Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson and Malaki Branham. No election would be included in this imagined deal.

The Timberwolves can increase depth and future options with this trade

All in all, Swartz’s fake trade would be a great way for the Timberwolves to get Randle off the books if they decide that’s the direction they want to go. Moving Julius would give Minnesota the financial flexibility to re-sign impact players like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. If they are fully set on achieving that result, the type of players they get back wouldn’t even be the biggest concern.

But this deal with Spurs in particular would provide a significant return for Wolves. Keldon Johnson is a solid wing who could be excellent off the bench while allowing Naz Reid to be promoted to the starting lineup. Malaki Branham is a versatile scorer who would bring some extra offensive firepower to the bench.

As for Tre Jones, he would give Minnesota an experienced ball handler who could become more useful as Mike Conley begins to show some age. Jones wouldn’t necessarily be a long-term fit with this team, as Rob Dillingham still has more upside. But having Tre would allow the Timberwolves to continue to assess how far along they think Dillingham is and then make other moves accordingly.

If the Wolves see it best to find a new home for Julius Randle at the deadline, a move similar to this would be an excellent option.