Timberwolves Planning to Keep Julius Randle and Naz Reid…?

The Minnesota Timberwolves are dealing with some uncertainty in the organization, still. A panel of arbitrators recently awarded the team to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, but Glen Taylor isn’t going away quietly. It doesn’t seem like he is willing to give the Pohlad family the title for worst current owner in Minnesota, just yet.

One thing that seems certain, though, is that they are likely to keep their core rotation intact going into next season. After dealing Karl-Anthony Towns just before the year started, the expectation was that money would be freed to keep young center Naz Reid. And, despite his name being thrown around in trade rumors, Julius Randle may have reason to keep his roots with the Timberwolves as well.

Minnesota is currently 8th in the Western Conference with a 41-32 record. They have just nine games to play, and are looking to avoid the dreaded play-in tournament. To do so, they’ll need both of their big men to step up prior to thinking about their future.

Both Minnesota Timberwolves big men rumored to return

Right now the Minnesota Timberwolves sit above the second luxury tax apron. That means, barring salary shedding, Tim Connelly’s team is subject to sign-and-trade restrictions, midlevel exception restrictions, trade restrictions, and first round picks (seven years out) are frozen.

It’s hard for the Timberwolves to escape that reality, because Reid, Randle, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are all unrestricted free agents this offseason. Each of them represents a premier talent that the Wolves want back, but will also be coveted on the open market. Senior ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps expects Reid and Randle to return, either on player options or new deals, but predicts that NAW will hit the open market.

“The general belief from sources around the league on both Reid and Randle is that they’ll be back in Minnesota next season, though what form that takes is unclear. Both could potentially opt into their contracts and extend (Reid has a $15 million player option, while Randle’s is $29 million) or opt out and sign new deals.”

ESPN

Naz Reid earned Sixth Man of the Year honors last season. He is a fan-favorite, and his 14.7 points per game this year are a career-high. His 27.9 minutes per game are also a career-best, and the departure of Towns has allowed for Reid to flourish in a greater capacity.

It has been somewhat of a slow burn for Randle with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Understandably it took time for him to gel with new teammates in a different system. He also dealt with an injury. Through 60 games, he has averaged 32 minutes per game, and 18.6 points, all while pairing with Rudy Gobert in the paint.

Related: Glen Taylor Holding Back Timberwolves Ownership Change Yet Again

That leaves Alexander-Walker, who has blossomed into a key role player. He has appeared in 73 games with 10 starts, and has averaged 9.2 points per game. Next season will be his seventh in the NBA, and he will be seeking more opportunity, as well as a payday. It’s understandable to see why Alexander-Walker could be the odd man out.

What do the MN Timberwolves do in free agency?

It’s difficult to project where the Minnesota Timberwolves will turn, and that issue starts all the way at the top. Right now, the franchise expects to be owned by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, but how long is it going to take? President Tim Connelly signed a one-year extension to see the process play out, but he’ll need clarity to decide whether he stays and builds or leaves for greener pastures.

ESPN Insider Brian Windhorst also isn’t certain how things will play out, for those same reasons. The reality is that Minnesota lacks clarity on the ownership situation.

“There are some combinations where they could fit Alexander-Walker, Reid and Randle back in below the projected $207 million second apron, but there’s no clarity on how deep whoever owns the team is willing to go…Minnesota has another potential free agent: team president Tim Connelly. But with ownership uncertain, he negotiated a no-strings-attached out in his contract after last season. When Taylor and Lore went to court, sources told ESPN, Connelly agreed to an amendment in his deal to push the opt-out to this summer. Team sources also said that Lore has made it a priority to extend Connelly with a new deal once he gets full control of the team. Lore doesn’t have the team yet, and Connelly is still holding the opt-out.”

ESPN

Beyond just the organizational structure, there has been plenty of suggestion regarding a monumental shakeup to the roster. The Timberwolves attempted to trade for Kevin Durant this season at the trade deadline. Those talks are expected to rekindle during the offseason, and they’d likely involve Randle.

Veteran Joe Ingles is definitely gone, and Mike Conley could join him. The youth of Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVencenzo isnlt going anywhere, and neither are draft picks like Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Leonard Miller. Jaylen Clark, Josh Minott, and Luka Garza are likely to be around as well.

It will be fascinating to see how the Minnesota Timberwolves navigate roster building this offseason. That only gets more complicated if they opt to keep and pay both of their big men. Once we know who’s making the final call, we may have more clarity.