When the Minnesota Timberwolves dealt Julius Randle and the 28th overall pick in tonight’s draft in a deal involving the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls, many thought it was an attempt to make a run at Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo in an attempt to pair him with the Timberwolves’ own star, Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves traded Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Nets in exchange for Mo Gueye and the No. 33 pick in the draft, while the Bulls received Nets’ big man Nic Claxton.
Timberwolves Not Feeling the Heat From Anthony Edwards After Julius Randle, Giannis Antetokounmpo Trades
After failing to acquire Antetokounmpo, many have been left to wonder Edwards’ thoughts on the team’s current situation.
According to Chris Hine of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Edwards is not frustrated with the Timberwolves’ direction.
“Everyone wants to know what Anthony Edwards thinks,” Hine writes. “Multiple sources close to Edwards dismissed the chatter as just that. One said there was no truth to any of it. Another reiterated that Edwards and his team love Minnesota, and they think being here, in this location with this franchise, is the “ideal” situation.
Not only does Edwards reportedly like being in Minnesota, but it is also in his best interest to remain with the Wolves, at least for the next few seasons, so that he can sign a supermax contract.
“Edwards still has three years left on his contract, and he will be incentivized to re-sign with the Wolves once he makes another All-NBA team because the Wolves will be able to offer him significantly more money on his next deal than another team, with the way the NBA structures its contract rules,” says Hine. “A trade would reduce that. Just ask Luka Doncic, who lost out on the ability to re-sign a supermax contract when the Mavericks traded him to the Lakers.”
Hine also points out just how young Edwards is.
“Edwards is also only 24, much younger than stars typically are when they ask for these kinds of moves during their third contracts,” Hine explains. “And he has been happy in Minnesota. Despite coming up short of a championship in recent years, that hasn’t changed. And it would take a lot for it to change.”
Of course, Edwards is a special talent, and given how often small-market teams lose their superstars, the Timberwolves could be seeking Edwards’ input to prevent any future unhappiness.
If the Timberwolves do want to get out of the second round of the postseason, they are still going to need to make a big move. Randle was the team’s second-leading scorer, putting up 21.1 points per game.
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Although Randle struggled in the playoffs (16.0 ppg on 39.0% shooting from the field), that is still a lot of production to replace, and although bigger roles for Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid should help replace some of that production, the Timberwolves are definitely going to have to make a few moves this offseason to balance out their roster.
The Timberwolves are certainly one of the teams to watch this season as they try to help a true title contender around Edwards.
