Julius Randle's plummeting stock still shouldn't tempt Suns into big mistake

Julius Randle has not had a good offseason and as a result could be available at a lower than expected price, but that still shouldn't interest the Phoenix Suns.

The Minnesota Timberwolves look increasingly likely to bow out in the second round versus the San Antonio Spurs, and with seven series wins in three seasons and no finals appearance, change has to happen.

Suns need to stick to their vision and avoid Randle

There may be some temptation from Phoenix's front office if the price is right, because of how well pairing a physical forward worked with Devin Booker this season.

Dillon Brooks was everything the franchise needed and more as they made the postseason themselves, and he still won't go on vacation.

In theory Randle is a better player than Brooks by virtue of being a three-time All-Star who has been one of the driving forces of the Timberwolves as contenders in the West.

Despite being a bigger defender than Brooks who could thrive in head coach Jordan Ott's system, he simply requires too much of the ball and game plan to be truly effective next to Booker.

Contrast that with Brooks, who has no problem stepping up when required but who also from day one said this was Booker's team.

There is good reason for the Timberwolves to be interested in a deal that revolves around these two as well, given the clear cultural impact Brooks has everywhere he goes.

With Rudy Gobert in Minnesota, Brooks would have more defensive help behind him than he currently does, and could focus on being a secondary defender who can also stretch the floor more than Randle.

In terms of making difficult shots, Randle has the edge on Brooks. But to watch him play there are several attempts each game where you wish he would give the ball to Anthony Edwards or even Naz Reid.

Randle's fit in the flow of the offense is questionable, and while Brooks is hardly an elite scorer himself, he picks his spots better and is the better 3-point shooter.

Not that making shots from beyond the arc is all there is to scoring, and Randle has more of a gravitation pull on both ends than Brooks.

But when you consider the Timberwolves would likely want more added to any trade, plus the fact he has two years and over $66 million remaining on his current deal (final year is a player option), getting into the Randle business in The Valley seems foolish.

Brooks is about to enter the last year of his current deal, and while the Suns may not want to extend him, having potential financial flexibility after next season seems the wiser move.

This should clearly be a no go for the Suns.

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