Jaylen Clark Takes Shot at Former Teammate Julius Randle

Jaylen Clark had an interesting response when discussing how the Minnesota Timberwolves are adjusting without Anthony Edwards, and his comments about former teammate Julius Randle are likely to catch the attention of Brooklyn Nets fans.

With Edwards sidelined, Minnesota has another opportunity to see which players can step into larger roles offensively. When Clark was asked about the team's approach to playing without its star, he compared the situation to what the Timberwolves experienced last season, making an interesting distinction about Randle's role with the team.

“I mean we did it a lot last year… I think the biggest difference is that you had a Julius personality… versus all of us were so together we were all trying to do it, where as it was more Julius, you just knew he was the next in the pecking order. But I think we got a lot of great challengers, like Jaden, Melo, all these guys are more than capable of stepping up,” Clark explained.

Clark never directly criticized Randle, but his choice of words was certainly interesting. He described Minnesota's previous offensive approach as one where Randle was clearly the next option when the team needed someone to take control. Now, Clark believes the Timberwolves have several players who can step up and help fill that void.

That distinction is particularly noteworthy considering how Randle's time in Minnesota came to an end. The veteran forward was moved to Brooklyn during the offseason in a salary-related deal that brought LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves, giving both organizations a different direction heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

Randle has quickly established himself as an important part of Brooklyn's offense. He entered the season with plenty to prove and has delivered some impressive individual performances, averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists through his first games with the Nets. His 33-point debut also showed just how much offensive responsibility he can handle.

However, his ball-dominant style has generated some discussion among Nets fans, particularly as Brooklyn continues trying to find consistency with its new roster.

For Minnesota, the challenge is finding enough offensive production without relying on one player to carry the load. Jaden McDaniels and Ball are among the players Clark believes can step up, giving the Timberwolves several options as they work through Edwards' absence.

Clark's comments might not have been intended as a direct shot at Randle, but the comparison is hard to overlook. Minnesota appears to be taking a different approach this season, with more players expected to contribute offensively rather than having one established option at the top of the pecking order.

There is also an interesting subplot whenever the Timberwolves and Nets eventually meet. Randle will have an opportunity to face the organization that traded him away, while Minnesota will get its first look at how its former forward has adjusted to life in Brooklyn.

If nothing else, Clark's comments add another layer to what should be an interesting matchup between two teams that made significant changes during the offseason.