New York Knicks Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – LAL), 2027 First-Round Pick
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Julius Randle, G Derrick Rose
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, F Jarred Vanderbilt
We figured we’d stick with the theme of reunions with this one. This deal finds Derrick Rose returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With that said, that’s not the focal point of the deal for the Pups. That would be Julius Randle. He’s certainly a gamble. The difference in his three-point accuracy between 2020-21 and 2021-22 is astonishing.
Having said that, the Wolves are uniquely designed to handle another drought from Randle: again, due to Towns’ elite spacing. He’d still provide considerably more playmaking than any 4 Towns has ever played alongside.
The Wolves could have a top-5 offense next season even if he doesn’t regain his form from deep. There’s a lot of bully ball potential given teams will have to respect Towns’ spacing and it would be tough to not have switches in disadvantaged positions.
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Meanwhile, the Lakers better hope they have a top-5 something following this deal. They’ll be old and draft-poor. That’s the cost of rostering LeBron James: the Lakers just need to make it worthwhile.
