Julius Randle of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He will finalize a mega three-year, $100 million contract. Randle, at 30 years old, is entering his 12th year in the league. He’s intent on expanding from those successes and after an admittedly rocky start in Minnesota.
Randle’s time with the Timberwolves has been a roller coaster experience. He was front and center for his first season with the franchise after being traded over from the New York Knicks. There, he had already earned the credibility as a change agent. He had the misfortune of arriving in Minnesota right as former franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns departed. This was a big change for the team to be sure.
Though Randle faced difficulties early in the season, including an adductor strain that sidelined him, he made a strong comeback on March 2. After his return, he played as he hadn’t before and was finally able to help lead the team as he was capable of doing. Though he had come to the Knicks in February, Randle shined especially bright in the final two months of the season. He posted 18.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per contest, including 52.3% from the field and 39.8% on threes.
His impressive play was hard to overlook, as he used that momentum to drive him through the playoffs. Randle set postseason career-highs in numerous statistical categories, leading the Timberwolves to their second straight Western Conference Finals. This achievement underscores his value to the team and solidifies his role as a leader on and off the court.
In case you missed it, Randle’s career really took off after the Lakers selected him No. 7 back in 2014. He’s really blossomed into an elite player during his time here. In three NBA seasons, he’s averaged 19 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. This performance has done a ton in cementing his status as a consistent contributor on all facets of the game.
The new contract includes a player option for the 2027-28 season. This provides Randle a whole lot of maneuverability to control his NBA path. This decision reflects both his commitment to the Timberwolves and their faith in his abilities to help lead the team moving forward.
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