While they would have liked to stagger their big contract decisions more, the Minnesota Timberwolves knew they would more than likely be faced with three big free agency decisions this summer. Each of Naz Reid, Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker – three of their top eight minute recipients during their run to the 2024-25 Western Conference Finals – were to become free agents, or could do via player options.
Reid’s situation is already considered resolved. He declined his player option, but is said to be re-signing to a five-year, $125 million pact, according to reports that came out yesterday. In the other direction, Alexander-Walker seems the most likely to leave, with plenty of teams lining up for the services of the breakout three-and-D combo guard, headlined by the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks.
This, then, has left only Randle’s situation up in the air. But new reports indicates that the Timberwolves will be keeping him, too.
Timberwolves Cement The Four Spot
In his latest report from news around the NBA, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported a “growing belief” around the league that Randle will be re-signing to a long-term agreement to sign with the Timberwolves as well. Fischer’s report was later confirmed by both Shams Charania of ESPN and Jon Krawczynki of The Athletic, who both separately replaced the “belief” with outright statements of fact that Randle would be back with the Wolves with a nine-figure pact.
The Timberwolves, as best they can, will be keeping the band together.
Randle came to the Timberwolves last October as the main returning piece in the shock trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. He started the season at power forward in Towns’s place, and averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, posting 6.2 win shares in his own inimitable way.
In particular, Randle was noticeable by his absence. The Timberwolves posted a 44-25 regular season record in games that Randle played, and 5-8 in the ones he missed. Reid is a quality backup to both he and starting center Rudy Gobert, yet the Timberwolves’ depth in their front eight rotation was at the crux of their improvement. And postseason struggles notwithstanding, the doggedly-persistent and highly talented Randle was a large part of what got the Timberwolves as far as they did.
Randle No Longer On Trade Market – For Now
Declining his own $30.935,520 player option to become a free agent this, Randle’s new contract will be for a reputed $100 million over the next three seasons, including another player option for the 2027-28 season. This is technically doable for the Timberwolves both as an extension to Randle’s current deal (if he opts in), or in a new contract entirely (if he opts out).
Reportedly, Randle will officially opt out and re-sign, rather than take an extension. And while it is not likely to matter, the difference is more than just semantic. Were Randle to sign an extension, he would remain trade-eligible immediately; however, if he opts out and re-signs, he will not be trade-eligible until the middle of December. It appears, then, that the Wolves have their power forward for the next couple of seasons in place – or at least for the next six months.
With his dribble-heavy style of offensive production and spotty defence, Randle is a hard player to pigeon-hole. He can be very good, or he can be a liability. He is respected and game-planned for, but has never shown he is able to shoulder as much of the burden as he plays as though he can. That said, he is also a very hard player to replace. And with today’s news, the Timberwolves will no longer have to try.
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