Anthony Randolph Trade To Timberwolves Sounds Familiar

Anthony Randolph was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as a part of Monday’s wondrous Carmelo Anthony blockbuster. The New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets needed help from a team under the cap to facilitate the ‘Melo swap, and as a thank you for their service to Spike Lee and country, the Wolves earned Randolph, the enigmatic third-year forward who alternately looks like a player poised to win the MVP and break down crying at midcourt.

Of course, the Wolves also gave up a disappointing lottery pick, Corey Brewer, and took on the massive expiring contract of Eddy Curry. (And, well, the massive Eddy Curry, too.) Canis Hoopus has done the math, and it comes out a wash; the Wolves paid about $300,000 in the deal when you consider that the Knicks sent Minnesota $3 million cash (the maximum allowable under league rules) and that we’re 50 games or so into the season. The trade does hurt the Wolves’ ability to make additional moves, though Minnesota has a large trade exception available thanks (thanks?) to the Al Jefferson trade.

Either way, the Wolves expect something out of Randolph. Data from A.R.‘s start-and-stop career indicates Minnesota could be in luck. Stop-n-Pop of Canis Hoopus is hopeful.

It could also be a good example of what types of players actually possess high-level (and here’s that word again) potential. Think of player development like evolution and natural selection. Players at this level are only able to develop with the skills and tools they already have. Wanting Wes Johnson to develop into a slashing, high-usage modern shooting guard is like wishing for a turtle to develop a 5th leg. Sorry, he just doesn’t have the existing systems to make that dream happen. On the other hand, Anthony Randolph has the types of tools that could make for an extremely high level player. Elite size, athleticism, handle, an ability to get to the line, rebounding, and shot blocking. These are things that can evolve into the upper levels of the NBA while giving the Wolves a player type they don’t currently have. This evolution is highly dependent on two things: Randolph’s head (he’s had some drive/motivation/whatever issues over his 3 years in the league) and the Wolves’ player development. You know, his environment.

Will Randolph become anything more than another cast member in David Kahn’s Island of Misfit Lottery Picks? The evidence is surprisingly positive, but the narrative is left to be played out.