Brian Windhorst: Well I don’t think they can keep this team together. The core they can but… so Julius Randle’s a free agent. Nickeil Alexander Walker is a free agent and Naz Reid is a free agent. He has an opt out which I’m sure he’s going to take. Ant’s contract is very large. (…) I would be surprised if they were able to re-sign all three guys. I suppose they could trade another player off to keep them, maybe they can, I mean, I don’t know, but I would be kind of surprised if they could afford all three.
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
A reminder: Julius Randle is a Top 3 free agent this offseason.
hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba… – 11:34 PM
A reminder: Julius Randle is a Top 3 free agent this offseason.
hoopshype.com/lists/2025-nba… – 11:34 PM
Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Minnesota’s new owners have some grave money decisions on tap. Extend Randle with obscene riches knowing his confidence can be shattered by the demonic defense of the West’s best? Re-sign Naz for unspeakable $ knowing his rebounding, dribbling & defensive defects? I say regroup! – 11:31 PM
Minnesota’s new owners have some grave money decisions on tap. Extend Randle with obscene riches knowing his confidence can be shattered by the demonic defense of the West’s best? Re-sign Naz for unspeakable $ knowing his rebounding, dribbling & defensive defects? I say regroup! – 11:31 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
A challenging offseason coming in Minnesota. Alexander-Walker a free agent. Randle, Reid with player options. New owners — will they spend? Tim Connelly is a wizard of a GM but he will have his work cut out keeping this team among the elite. – 10:47 PM
A challenging offseason coming in Minnesota. Alexander-Walker a free agent. Randle, Reid with player options. New owners — will they spend? Tim Connelly is a wizard of a GM but he will have his work cut out keeping this team among the elite. – 10:47 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Maybe Randle would realize by Game 9 of this series that he cannot breeze through these DHO actions 30 feet from the basket – 9:30 PM
Maybe Randle would realize by Game 9 of this series that he cannot breeze through these DHO actions 30 feet from the basket – 9:30 PM
Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
The ransacking of Randle, pillaging of Edwards and plundering of the Timberwolves is the game plan out of the book of Erik the Red… – 9:27 PM
The ransacking of Randle, pillaging of Edwards and plundering of the Timberwolves is the game plan out of the book of Erik the Red… – 9:27 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
In addition to his offensive struggles, it wasn’t talked about enough after Game 4 how much OKC succeeded attacking Julius Randle’s defense. Doing that again tonight. – 9:24 PM
In addition to his offensive struggles, it wasn’t talked about enough after Game 4 how much OKC succeeded attacking Julius Randle’s defense. Doing that again tonight. – 9:24 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The OKC lead has swelled to 36-14. Four turnovers for Julius Randle, three turnovers for Naz Reid. MIN is shooting 5-for-23. – 9:21 PM
The OKC lead has swelled to 36-14. Four turnovers for Julius Randle, three turnovers for Naz Reid. MIN is shooting 5-for-23. – 9:21 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Randle with 4 turnovers, Reid with 3 turnovers. OKC just feasting on these guys. – 9:20 PM
Randle with 4 turnovers, Reid with 3 turnovers. OKC just feasting on these guys. – 9:20 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Chris Finch gotta get Julius Randle off the floor…..This isn’t playing badly. This is quitting – 9:19 PM
Chris Finch gotta get Julius Randle off the floor…..This isn’t playing badly. This is quitting – 9:19 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Naz Reid fouls Alex Caruso on a dunk attempt and Caruso goes down hard.
And he immediately starts doing push ups. OKC roared in approval. – 9:16 PM
Naz Reid fouls Alex Caruso on a dunk attempt and Caruso goes down hard.
And he immediately starts doing push ups. OKC roared in approval. – 9:16 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Ant had two drives to the basket, weaving through defenders. Randle had a 3 on the first play of the game. Other than that?
0-17 – 9:12 PM
Ant had two drives to the basket, weaving through defenders. Randle had a 3 on the first play of the game. Other than that?
0-17 – 9:12 PM
Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Naz Reid and Randle should never ever dribble more than once in a row across half court… – 9:11 PM
Naz Reid and Randle should never ever dribble more than once in a row across half court… – 9:11 PM
Peter Vecsey @PeterVecsey1
Pitino would’ve banished Randle to the portal two turnovers ago… – 9:01 PM
Pitino would’ve banished Randle to the portal two turnovers ago… – 9:01 PM
Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Alex Caruso picks Julius Randle’s pockets clean, the Timberwolves don’t even try to get back on defense in transition and he dishes it to SGA to finish the fastbreak at the rim. – 8:56 PM
Alex Caruso picks Julius Randle’s pockets clean, the Timberwolves don’t even try to get back on defense in transition and he dishes it to SGA to finish the fastbreak at the rim. – 8:56 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Just the start OKC needed. An 11-0 run after Randle hit a 3. Minny still having trouble getting Ant the ball with a live dribble – 8:52 PM
Just the start OKC needed. An 11-0 run after Randle hit a 3. Minny still having trouble getting Ant the ball with a live dribble – 8:52 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“If you’re Julius Randle … shoot the three or be in the paint and play bully ball.”
@stephenasmith on how Julius Randle should approach Game 5 🏀
Timberwolves-Thunder | NOW on ESPN 🍿 pic.x.com/2BxJRFQi4r – 8:29 PM
“If you’re Julius Randle … shoot the three or be in the paint and play bully ball.”
@stephenasmith on how Julius Randle should approach Game 5 🏀
Timberwolves-Thunder | NOW on ESPN 🍿 pic.x.com/2BxJRFQi4r – 8:29 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 5 (OKC up 3-1).
Three things I’m watching:
1. Wolves defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander w/o fouling.
2. Turnovers. Wolves 56 in three losses, led to 75 OKC points.
3. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Show up or 1-2-3 Cancun. #NBAPlayoffs pic.x.com/cpaiMCg2xv – 7:23 PM
Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 5 (OKC up 3-1).
Three things I’m watching:
1. Wolves defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander w/o fouling.
2. Turnovers. Wolves 56 in three losses, led to 75 OKC points.
3. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Show up or 1-2-3 Cancun. #NBAPlayoffs pic.x.com/cpaiMCg2xv – 7:23 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“The theme of his career has kinda been bouncing back from adversity.”
@mcten on how Julius Randle is approaching his time on the sideline during the Western Conference finals.
Timberwolves-Thunder | 8:30 ET on ESPN 🍿 pic.x.com/fFoj0AMaOe – 3:56 PM
“The theme of his career has kinda been bouncing back from adversity.”
@mcten on how Julius Randle is approaching his time on the sideline during the Western Conference finals.
Timberwolves-Thunder | 8:30 ET on ESPN 🍿 pic.x.com/fFoj0AMaOe – 3:56 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Mike Conley says the Wolves had a team dinner last night and watched Knicks-Pacers. He said he’s continued to encourage Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle for their work to get MIN to this point. And in Game 5? “We need our best guys to be our best guys” pic.x.com/Y90RH53RLu – 12:32 PM
Mike Conley says the Wolves had a team dinner last night and watched Knicks-Pacers. He said he’s continued to encourage Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle for their work to get MIN to this point. And in Game 5? “We need our best guys to be our best guys” pic.x.com/Y90RH53RLu – 12:32 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: The Wolves’ postseason run has mirrored Julius Randle’s: dominant, until it wasn’t. “I think the biggest thing is,” Randle told ESPN, “how do you bounce back after adversity? That’s always been the theme of my career.” espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 11:24 AM
New story: The Wolves’ postseason run has mirrored Julius Randle’s: dominant, until it wasn’t. “I think the biggest thing is,” Randle told ESPN, “how do you bounce back after adversity? That’s always been the theme of my career.” espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 11:24 AM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Yes, it’s been established that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are cousins clashing in #NBA Western Conference Finals. But for humans who actually read stories, here is a deep dive into the back story in written form. bit.ly/4jl2mFq @andscape #nba – 1:48 PM
Yes, it’s been established that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are cousins clashing in #NBA Western Conference Finals. But for humans who actually read stories, here is a deep dive into the back story in written form. bit.ly/4jl2mFq @andscape #nba – 1:48 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are more than cousins clashing in #NBA Western Conference Finals. Oklahoma City #Thunder and Minnesota #Timberwolves guards have been through ‘every stage of life’ together. bit.ly/4jl2mFq @andscape #nba – 1:23 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are more than cousins clashing in #NBA Western Conference Finals. Oklahoma City #Thunder and Minnesota #Timberwolves guards have been through ‘every stage of life’ together. bit.ly/4jl2mFq @andscape #nba – 1:23 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, like his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker, has set his new postseason career scoring high (previous: 38 points). – 11:16 PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, like his cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker, has set his new postseason career scoring high (previous: 38 points). – 11:16 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Naz Reid breaks a streak of 4 straight Wolves possessions with a turnover by hitting a three. Williams answers right back with a 3. Thunder are dialed in tonight. – 9:04 PM
Naz Reid breaks a streak of 4 straight Wolves possessions with a turnover by hitting a three. Williams answers right back with a 3. Thunder are dialed in tonight. – 9:04 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid reflects on George Floyd, Minneapolis five years later. “I felt the anger the family felt. It was [important] for me to be out there trying to give my love and my condolences,” Reid told @andscape. #nba #NBAPlayoffs bit.ly/43vyGj3 – 11:57 AM
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid reflects on George Floyd, Minneapolis five years later. “I felt the anger the family felt. It was [important] for me to be out there trying to give my love and my condolences,” Reid told @andscape. #nba #NBAPlayoffs bit.ly/43vyGj3 – 11:57 AM
More on this storyline
This is not to say that the Wolves have much financial flexibility. If Julius Randle ($30,935,520) and Naz Reid ($15,022,464) opt into their player options, they will have seven players on eight-figure annual salaries, and are almost over the provisional tax threshold with just half a roster under contract. What the Wolves do not have, though, are bad contracts. Gobert’s resurgence in Minnesota (winning his fourth NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2023-24 season) combined with a pay cut in the extension he signed in October sees his once-substantial price tag come down, and while Jaden McDaniels’ $131 million rookie extension will keep him expensive for the next four seasons, it is retradeable. -via HoopsHype / May 29, 2025
Clemente Almanza: FINAL: Thunder 124, Wolves 94 SGA – 34 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds JDub – 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists Chet – 22 points, 7 rebounds Edwards – 19 points, 6 rebounds Randle – 24 points, 5 rebounds Reid – 11 points, 5 rebounds OKC wins 4-1 -via x.com / May 28, 2025
Dave McMenamin: Mike Conley says the Wolves had a team dinner last night and watched Knicks-Pacers. He said he’s continued to encourage Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle for their work to get MIN to this point. And in Game 5? “We need our best guys to be our best guys” -via Twitter @mcten / May 28, 2025
Reid will be extension-eligible after the draft, and the latest NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement gave teams the ability to start the first season of extended contracts at 140 percent of the salary of the final season of the contract being extended, up from 125 percent. It would suit the Wolves to convince Reid to bypass free agency altogether. They may not be so lucky, however. Reid knows he is good. -via HoopsHype / May 29, 2025