Julius Randle Rumors

Jon Krawczynski: I’ve been told no. But they do have the flexibility down the road if they want/need to

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Yossi Gozlan: Julius Randle may still be trade-eligible based on the extension terms. No six month trade restriction if all three are met: No more than four years (including 2024-25)✅ First year salary doesn’t exceed 120% of previous salary✅

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Shams Charania: BREAKING: Three-time NBA All-Star Julius Randle intends to sign a new three-year, $100 million deal to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option for the 2027-28 season.

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Shams Charania: Wolves officials and Randle's agents, Aaron Mintz and Steven Heumann of CAA, have been ironing out details of this new deal. Minnesota locks in Randle and Naz Reid over the last several days.

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There is a growing belief that Julius Randle will be next in striking a long-term agreement to sign with the Timberwolves as well. Those highly anticipated returns of Reid and Randle, however, have increasingly painted Alexander-Walker as the odd free agent out in Minnesota.

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Yossi Gozlan: Naz Reid's raise makes keeping both Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker costly without reducing payroll. For example, Randle opting in and Alexander-Walker re-signing for $14.1 million (mid-level) puts the Wolves over the second apron and increases tax by $65 million.

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Phoenix has also gauged the trade market on swingmen Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen, league sources told HoopsHype. The Timberwolves were concerned about trading for Durant when Minnesota wasn’t on his preferred list of destinations. In addition, the Suns desired Rudy Gobert in trade talks, and losing their French defensive anchor to pair Julius Randle and Kevin Durant in the frontcourt together wasn’t seen as an ideal pairing defensively, HoopsHype has learned.

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Jon Krawczynski: Chris Finch asked by @PAOnTheMic if he expects Naz Reid and Julius Randle on the team next season: "Absolutely, yes."

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The Wolves would seem to have options available to offer, with Rudy Gobert or Julius Randle headlining a package that could give the Suns hopes of contending. With the offers from the Spurs, Rockets and Heat coming up short to this point, league sources say the Suns are still hopeful that Durant might warm to the Timberwolves possibility. The Timberwolves do not want to make a seismic change to a roster that advanced to the Western Conference finals if Durant is not on board with the move, team sources said. The question now is whether there’s any chance of Durant coming around to the idea.

New York Times

For all of the good feelings about what Minnesota accomplished and endured, there is some uncertainty. Randle can opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, he seemed destined to sign a new deal with the Wolves to stay for the long term. But Randle’s struggles against Oklahoma City in the conference finals — he averaged 17.4 points and 3.6 turnovers in the 4-1 loss — make those decisions less straightforward. Connelly said that he hopes to bring Randle back, but also did not rule out another big trade if one presents itself and can get the Wolves closer to a championship. “Fingers crossed, our ability to be a little more flexible could serve us well this season,” Connelly said.

New York Times

LeBron James: "And then (the Thunder) come off the bench with one of my favorite teammates of all time, Alex Caruso, who is like the dog. He's the ultimate Swiss Army knife. We've literally seen him guard Giannis. We've seen him guard the Joker. You know, we've seen him guard Ant, we've seen him guard Julius Randle, we've seen him guard Jamal Murray throughout this whole postseason."

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Thus, having to pay Julius Randle and Naz Reid has many teams across the league with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception licking their chops to make a run at Alexander-Walker, including the Orlando Magic, who made a run at trying to acquire him before the trade deadline, HoopsHype has learned. Various executives around the league who spoke with HoopsHype are projecting Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 26, to garner the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception or close to it in free agency.

HoopsHype

“I will say that I love it here,” Randle said. “This is the most meaningful basketball I’ve played in my career, and from how the organization has made me feel from the front office, my teammates, and playing with Ant (Anthony Edwards) as our leader, I love it. There’s a lot to be excited about. Having the ability to compete for a championship is everything I could ask for at this point in my career.”

HoopsHype

Jon Krawczynski: Tim Connelly on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naz Reid and Julius Randle: "We’re very appreciative of what the market might look like. We’re pretty cautiously optimistic we’re in a good place with all of the guys. Most importantly, they want to be here."

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