The Timberwolves big gamble is already blowing up in their face

Things don't look good for the Minnesota Timberwolves right now after they lost their fourth straight game and are just 2-7 in their last nine games. That has led to increased discussion over whether they made the right move by trading star Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. 

The Wolves received Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and the Detroit Pistons' top-13 protected 2025 first-round pick in the deal for Towns, but that has yet to pay off. 

In fact, at the moment, it is looking like a bad deal with Randle putting up solid numbers but his fit not being as seamless as Towns' was. After all, Towns is among the best big-man shooters in NBA history, and the spacing that he provided the Wolves was vital. Randle isn't nearly that level of shooter, and he often takes lower-percentage midrange jumpers and struggles with turnovers. 

Then there is DiVincenzo, who has been one of the bigger disappointments this season, with his play on the Timberwolves being night and day to how he played with the Knicks. Last season, he drilled 283 threes, setting the Knicks team record, leading to hope that he would make a major impact and help to swing the trade in their favor. It hasn't.

Did the Minnesota Timberwolves make a mistake trading for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo?

After winning 56 games and making it to the Western Conference Finals last season, it seems that the Wolves made a mistake. Then again, the deal was likely done to give the Wolves more flexibility going forward.

Towns will make $55 million on average over the next four seasons. Meanwhile, Randall is on an expiring contract, and DiVincenzo is set to only make $24.5 million over the next two seasons.

If the Wolves were to let Randle leave in free agency, then they could just replace him in the starting five with Naz Reid, who would be a better fit anyway. As for DiVincenzo, there have been rumblings that the Timberwolves may look to trade him given his struggles. 

Still, his contract and track record should make them think twice about doing so. If he can snap out of his funk, then he could be a terrific player for the Wolves and is on a value deal. If he can't, then the Wolves' new additions won't be able to offset what Towns brought to the table, and they are already proving to be much worse for it.