The Timberwolves made a big move this offseason, swapping Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle in a trade that also sent Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota. While Towns’ exit provides the Wolves some financial flexibility, there are questions surrounding Randle’s fit with the team. Randle averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists last season before shoulder surgery, but his playing style might not mesh well with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota.
If things don’t click early, the Wolves could look to trade Randle quickly to find a better fit—and one possible destination is the Warriors, where Randle’s scoring and toughness could bring back the deadly small-ball lineup Golden State fans love.
Mock Trade
Timberwolves receive: Andrew Wiggins, Trayce Jackson-Davis, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2028 First-Round Pick
Warriors receive: Julius Randle
In this mock trade, the Timberwolves receive Andrew Wiggins, a solid two-way wing with championship experience, along with rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis, a promising young forward with potential upside. They also secure two future first-round picks in 2026 and 2028, which provide long-term assets for continued flexibility and future moves. This trade would give Minnesota some financial relief and the ability to reshuffle their roster for a better fit alongside their core players.
Conversely, the Warriors acquire Julius Randle, a high-scoring, versatile power forward who can bring toughness and offensive firepower to complement Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Randle’s ability to create his own shot and crash the boards could make him a key part of a new “Death Lineup” for Golden State, giving them another serious title run.
A Great Narrative For The Wolves
Andrew Wiggins’ return to the Timberwolves is a compelling narrative that brings both nostalgia and practicality. After a difficult 2024 season with the Warriors, where Wiggins averaged 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, his shooting efficiency took a hit, particularly from three-point range at just 35%. The season was marred by injuries and personal challenges that kept him off the court, preventing him from reaching his previous form. Despite his struggles, Wiggins remains a talented two-way player with championship experience, and his fit in Minnesota without Karl-Anthony Towns opens up new possibilities for the Wolves.
With Towns gone, the Timberwolves can now lean into a different identity, where spacing and defensive versatility take center stage. Wiggins’ ability to guard multiple positions and contribute as a secondary scorer is a perfect complement to Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. Unlike Randle, who can clog the paint with his physical style of play, Wiggins brings more fluidity to Minnesota’s offense. His ability to move without the ball and spot up on the perimeter allows Edwards more room to operate as the primary playmaker, while Wiggins can still capitalize on cuts and fast breaks. This improved spacing makes it easier for Gobert to thrive in the paint, and for Edwards to drive to the rim without worrying about overlapping with another post-heavy player like Randle.
Naz Reid would also benefit from this new structure, stepping into the power forward role that Towns vacated. Reid has already shown flashes of stretching the floor with his three-point shooting (41% from beyond the arc in 2024), and his agility makes him a dynamic option alongside Gobert. He’d now have more opportunities to play a hybrid role, mixing his perimeter skills with occasional post-ups, which was something Towns had mastered, but Reid can execute with better consistency in this redefined lineup.
Trayce Jackson-Davis also enters the mix as a promising backup prospect for Gobert. A skilled rebounder and defender, Jackson-Davis has the potential to develop into a reliable rotational player, offering depth and insurance behind Gobert. His ability to contribute defensively and on the boards would help Minnesota maintain their interior presence when Gobert sits. With both Jackson-Davis and Reid providing frontcourt depth, the Wolves would have a more versatile rotation that can adapt to different opponents while maintaining their identity as a defense-first team.
Ultimately, a potential trade of Randle for Wiggins and Jackson-Davis, along with future picks, gives the Timberwolves flexibility for both the present and the future. Wiggins’ return creates a smoother offensive flow with better spacing, while their depth in the frontcourt, with Reid and Jackson-Davis supporting Gobert, sets them up for success. Without Towns and Randle, the Wolves are better positioned to focus on playing fast, modern basketball around their budding star in Anthony Edwards.
A Scary Warriors Lineup
New Warriors’ Death Lineup: Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Julius Randle, Draymond Green
The hypothetical addition of Julius Randle to the Warriors lineup could create a new version of their infamous “Death Lineup.” Randle would bring a powerful inside presence combined with his ability to stretch the floor. While his three-point shooting stood at 31.1%, it’s his versatility and playmaking that would be key for Golden State. In this proposed lineup, Randle could slot in alongside Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond Green, creating an “out-of-the-box” small-ball lineup.
This lineup would offer the Warriors a mix of high-level shooting, defensive versatility, and offensive firepower. Curry’s ability to space the floor, Hield’s elite shooting, and Green’s playmaking would allow Randle to thrive in one-on-one situations inside, especially with the floor opened up by perimeter threats. Kuminga would bring athleticism and defense, complementing Randle’s physicality.
Randle’s fit, while unconventional, could be reminiscent of the small-ball units that took the Warriors to championships in the past. His ability to grab rebounds and push the ball in transition, much like Green does, would allow Golden State to maintain their up-tempo style. Although Randle’s shooting efficiency isn’t elite, his willingness to take threes would force defenses to respect his range, opening more lanes for Curry and others.
Defensively, while Randle isn’t a lockdown defender, having Green and Kuminga to back him up could allow him to focus more on his offensive contributions. This new-look Warriors lineup could thrive by leveraging Randle’s inside-out game, much like they did with previous lineups that featured small-ball power forwards. With Curry leading the charge and Randle providing a versatile offensive threat, this lineup could elevate Golden State back into serious title contention.
