NBA

Has Julius Randle Played His Last Game With The Minnesota Timberwolves?

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Anthony Cardenas
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Anthony Cardenas Sports Editor

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Published29 May 2025

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After losing in the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season, the Minnesota Timberwolves may yet again look to retool around Anthony Edwards this offseason. There are a handful of players that the team will have to make decisions on in the coming months, one of them being the future of 3-time All-Star Julius Randle.

Julius Randle Could Opt Out Of Final Year With Timberwolves

Randle saw his numbers dip during his first season in Minnesota. He was acquired by the Timberwolves in the deal that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks, and was supposed to be a big part in replacing KAT’s production. But the 30-year-old averaged more than 5 fewer points this season than he did in 2023-24, and his overall shooting and rebounding efficiencies dropped off, as well.

Randle was, however, a big part of his team’s success during their most recent playoff run. After putting up 18.7 points per game during the regular season, he averaged 22.6 in the first round against the Lakers. That number increased to 25.2 points per in Minnesota’s second round slate against the Warriors, about which Golden State’s Draymond Green itted he lost his matchup to Julius Randle.

He seemed to run out of gas a bit against the Thunder in the WCF, as he scored 6 points or less in two of the five contests.

Now, with the Timberwolves eliminated, it is time for Randle to start weighing his options for the future. The contract that he signed with the Knicks a few years back has just one season remaining, but features a player option for the 2025-26 campaign.

“I will say that I love it here,” Randle itted during his exit interview on Thursday. “This is the most meaningful basketball I’ve played in my career…I haven’t really thought about [the player option] but having the ability to compete for a championship is everything I can ask for at this point in my career. So we’ll see”

Will Randle Test The Free Agent Waters?

If Randle opts in, he is set to earn nearly $31 million in the final year of the deal. He would give one more shot at a run with Minnesota, perhaps with intentions of leaving next summer instead. But if the Timberwolves were to for some reason become sellers at next year’s trade deadline, the expiring contract of Julius Randle might be an intriguing asset.

If he opts out, he is of course eligible to test the free agent waters. After his solid playoff performance, Randle may feel that he is worth more than being the 59th highest-paid player in the NBA, and that he could find more money on the open market.

He could also opt out with the intention of returning to Minnesota if he is seeking a long-term deal with the team.