Kyle Anderson's return to the Minnesota Timberwolves has been a compelling storyline. After a stint with the Memphis Grizzlies that didn’t align with their future plans, Anderson found his way back to Minnesota, rejoining familiar faces like Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Mike Conley. However, this time around, he’s teaming up with Julius Randle, who joined the squad in the 2024-25 season.
Randle and Anderson: A Tough Fit
Both Anderson and Randle fill similar roles on the court, primarily as facilitating point forwards. While Randle is expected to be the primary scorer, his recent struggles post-All-Star break have made that a challenge. Neither player is known for their long-range shooting, which complicates their on-court synergy.
In the limited action they've seen together-90 possessions to be exact-the numbers aren't encouraging. Their combined efforts have resulted in an offensive rating of 102.2 and a defensive rating of 128.2, leading to a net rating of minus-26. This small sample size paints a picture of a duo still searching for their rhythm.
Interestingly, Anderson's pairing with Anthony Edwards has fared even worse, posting a minus-33.5 net rating. However, history suggests potential, as they managed a plus-10.4 net rating in the previous season, hinting at a possible resurgence.
Shooting Woes
Shooting from beyond the arc remains a significant hurdle. Anderson has attempted just six three-pointers in his 29 appearances this season, none with the Timberwolves.
Randle’s performance hasn’t been much better, hitting only 30.6% from deep and struggling at 15.2% since the All-Star break. Add Rudy Gobert to the mix, and the lineup’s perimeter threat diminishes further.
Coach Chris Finch’s decision to experiment with Anderson and Randle playing together makes sense given the lack of prior data. However, the results suggest that staggering their minutes might be a more effective strategy moving forward. The Timberwolves will need to find the right balance to maximize each player's strengths while minimizing their collective weaknesses.