Julius Randle Gives Timberwolves a Rare Edge When Anthony Edwards Sits
In today’s NBA, what happens when your star player hits the bench often determines whether you're a contender or just another team hoping to hang around in the standings. For most franchises, those non-star minutes are a glaring vulnerability.
Just look around the league: Denver is nearly 18 points per 100 possessions better with Jokic on the floor. Milwaukee?
Over 21 points better with Giannis. Even Oklahoma City sees a 7.4-point swing when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in the game.
But the Minnesota Timberwolves? They're built a little differently - and Julius Randle is a big reason why.
Randle Keeps the Wolves Howling Without Edwards
Let’s be clear: Anthony Edwards is a superstar. He’s a top-tier scorer, a late-game assassin, and the face of the franchise. But unlike most teams whose offenses crumble when their alpha dog sits, the Wolves have a weapon that keeps them humming - and sometimes even thriving - without him.
Enter Julius Randle.
When Edwards is off the court, Randle doesn’t just hold the fort - he takes command. In lineups featuring Randle but not Edwards, Minnesota boasts a +6.6 net rating and a 119.5 offensive rating.
That’s not just surviving; that’s thriving. And it’s not a fluke.
The Wolves are 5-3 in games without Edwards this season, with Randle putting up a stat line that would make most All-Stars nod in approval: 25.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
Need a recent example? Look no further than Tuesday’s win over Milwaukee.
No Edwards. No Rudy Gobert.
No problem. Randle dropped 28 points, grabbed eight boards, and dished out six assists - all while carrying the offense with the kind of poise and physicality that’s become his trademark.
A Rare Breed of Secondary Star
What makes Randle so valuable in these moments is that he’s not just a complementary piece - he’s a self-sustaining offensive engine. A lot of secondary stars look great next to a superstar but struggle when asked to shoulder the load alone.
Randle is the opposite. His game is built for the spotlight.
At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he’s a mismatch nightmare. He bullies smaller defenders, powers through contact, and finishes with touch around the rim.
But he’s not just a scorer - he’s a creator. According to Basketball Index, Randle ranks in the 94th percentile in isolation shot-making and 95th in isolation efficiency.
That means when the offense stalls, he can get a bucket - and do it efficiently.
But it’s his playmaking that truly unlocks the Wolves’ offense in those non-Edwards stretches. Randle ranks in the 90th percentile in playmaking talent and 88th in on-ball gravity.
Translation: defenses have to respect his scoring so much that it opens up clean looks for his teammates - and Randle has the vision and patience to find them. Whether it’s a drive-and-kick to a shooter or a high-post dime to a cutter, he consistently makes the right read under pressure.
The Luxury Few Teams Can Afford
Having a second option who can run the offense without your star is a luxury - and a rare one at that. Most teams struggle to generate quality looks when their top guy sits.
The Wolves? They just hand the keys to Randle and keep rolling.
That kind of depth is going to matter in the postseason. Playoff defenses are built to take away your first option.
When that happens, teams need a Plan B that doesn’t feel like a step down. With Randle, the Timberwolves have exactly that - a bruising, skilled, and intelligent forward who can create offense in isolation, facilitate for others, and keep the scoreboard moving.
Only a handful of teams in the league can say the same. And come playoff time, that edge could be the difference between a second-round exit and a deep run.
For now, the Timberwolves are enjoying the rare comfort of knowing they don’t just survive without their star - they compete. And Julius Randle is the reason why.