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NBA Insider Doubts Timberwolves Will Commit to Julius Randle Long-Term

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 7:53 PM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Julius Randle from the New York Knicks in the blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns trade before this season started.

The trade worked out for both teams, as Minnesota and New York made the conference finals this year.

Randle, who has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Knicks and Timberwolves, has a player option to return to Minnesota next season worth $30.9 million.

The Timberwolves can sign Randle to an extension this offseason. If Randle doesn't receive an extension, he can either pick up his player option or decline it and enter unrestricted free agency.

While the offseason hasn't started yet, one NBA insider is predicting that Minnesota and Randle won't come to terms on an extension this offseason.

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report thinks Randle will pick up his player option and play out the final year of his contract.

"Randle has a decision: Should he opt in, finish his contract and explore unrestricted free agency when more teams project to have cap room in 2026? Can he get a raise immediately if he opts out? Is there a viable path to opting in and extending? Or will the Timberwolves try to trade him, perhaps making a run at Kevin Durant? That's not likely unless Randle opts in, and the Phoenix Suns may be more willing to pay him than Minnesota," Pincus wrote. "

"Prediction: Randle opts in, with Minnesota not ready to offer the kind of long-term deal he expects."

Randle played in 69 games this season. He averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field, 34.4% from beyond the arc and 80.6% from the free-throw line.

A three-time All-Star, Randle has career averages of 19.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists. He turns 31 in November.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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