KAT was starting a four-season, $227 million contract that would have put the Timberwolves in the NBA’s salary cap Hades through the 2027-28 season. That is old news, of course, but it is intriguing that Towns’ popularity with the fan base seemed to increase when he was traded Oct. 3.
Presumably, that was due to KAT being part of the Wolves’ second all-time playoff run last spring, and not to the four playoff victories total in his first eight seasons here.
My opinion remains: Connelly made a good trade — although it was never going to be based on Randle being KAT’s equal as an all-around player. It was because putting DiVincenzo, 27, a much-needed outside shooter and a plus defender, on top of Randle should make it a win.
Key word at this moment: “should.”
The Wolves are dealing with a very different style of basketball with Randle. He again had the ball in his left hand 20% of the time (minimum) trying to create offense — triple what KAT needed, I’d estimate.