With tensions rising in Minnesota, Brooklyn could capitalize on Julius Randle’s physicality and playmaking to bolster Michael Porter Jr. and spark a stagnant half-court offense.
While last season was not the full turnaround the Brooklyn Nets have been working towards, they found out valuable information about their five rookies and experienced a career-best season from leading scorer Michael Porter Jr.
With significant draft compensation and young talent, the Nets have been tagged as a team that could get involved during free agency, whether that be signing players or making trades.
One player that has been tagged to Brooklyn is Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, who would bring a much-needed level of physicality to Brooklyn.
In his second season with the Timberwolves, Randle scored 21.2 points per game, adding 6.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists on solid 48.1-percent shooting.
After a solid first round showing against the Denver Nuggets, Randle struggled immensely against the San Antonio Spurs' length and size, which has many analysts calling for Minnesota to look to move the 3-time All-Star.
Following the Timberwolves' elimination, The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski released an article about Minnesota's shortcomings and where to go from here, highlighting Randle's struggles.
"It did seem to have an adverse effect on the existing roster around the trade deadline," Krawczynski wrote about the Timberwolves being involved with trade talks at the deadline. "Randle, in particular, went through a rough stretch of performances that coaches and teammates believed were directly connected to his name being bandied about in trade rumors."
It was later reported that Randle was the lone Timberwolf to skip exit interviews following the end of their season.
With tensions building between Randle and the franchise, this may be the right time to make a move for the veteran forward.
Randle is in line to make just shy of $36 million this upcoming season, playing out the final year of his 3-year, $100 million deal.
While this is a hefty price tag, Randle would bring a level of experience and versatility that the Nets could benefit from.
In Porter's case, Randle would play an Aaron Gordon-type role, similar to Porter's time on the Nuggets.
While Porter likes to play on the perimeter and use his size and finesse to rise over defenders, Randle plays bully-ball, attacking the rim with his body and using physicality to create advantages.
Randle is also a gifted passer for his size, frequently making the right reads and finding open teammates on his drives.
For Brooklyn, a team that desperately needs half-court offense production and playmaking, Randle could make sense for the right price.
Coming off of his struggles against the Spurs, his value could be slightly lowered, allowing the Nets to "buy low" on a former 25+ point per game scorer.
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