The Julius Randle trade to the Timberwolves has opened up a host of different possibilities in the NBA. Randle, who is on an expiring contract, could be traded once again so that the Timberwolves don't lose him for nothing come the end of the season. And Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey has suggested a move to the Miami Heat that looks like this:
Miami Heat Receives: Julius Randle
Minnesota Timberwolves Receives: Nikola Jovic, Terry Rozier, Thomas Bryant
This move would be great for both sides, as it gives them what exactly they might need. The Miami Heat finally get the long-desired All-Star to pair with Jimmy Butler to try and make a dark-horse push for an NBA championship. Whereas the Timberwolves receive young players on decent contracts whom they can play, or use to trade for another star later down the line.
The only concern that comes with this move would be the contract status of Randle. As mentioned before, Randle is entering the final guaranteed year of his four-year, $117 million contract. He has a player option for next season, meaning he could be an unrestricted free agent next season.
The reason this becomes a concern is that Jimmy Butler is also in the final year of his guaranteed contract, and has a player option next year that he can opt into. So should this deal come to fruition, there is a chance that the Heat might lose both players in free agency if they are offered better deals by other NBA teams.
As for the Timberwolves, this deal would help them from an asset standpoint, but would not do much for their competitiveness in the West. If the goal is to compete for a championship once again this year, this deal would only set them up for another deal later down the line that brings in an All-Star.
Will The Miami Heat Pull The Trigger?
With mock trades, especially ones that are this good, the question always becomes will the team on either side pull the trigger on the deal? When it comes to the Miami Heat that question is very valid, as they have shown in the past that they are gunshy when it comes to pulling off big trades.
Last year, Damian Lillard demanded a trade from the Trail Blazers and wanted to join the Miami Heat. However, the Heat were unwilling to part with the assets that a player like Lillard would command as an asking price. As a result, the Heat missed out on him, and the Bucks pulled off a trade for him.
Heat president Pat Riley is extremely frugal when it comes to giving away assets, and will not part ways with the treasure chest they've assembled unless a player that can guarantee them a championship is available. And as good as Randle is, he is not a player that could make the Heat contenders with his presence alone.
This deal would work wonders for both teams, but we will have to see if this trade, or any others similar to it, come to fruition.
