Julius Randle Making It Clear He Wants Timberwolves Stay to be Long Term

By Ted Schwerzler |

Updated: Oct 29, 2024

Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves — Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves decided they needed to address their luxury tax situation this offseason, and that led to a trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, and brought both Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Twin Cities.

Chemistry was probably the number one concern, when fitting two key figures into an already stacked lineup, at such a late stage of the offseason. Still, there is no denying DiVincenzo and Randle added a toughness factor to the Minnesota Timberwolves that the roster lacked before they arrived.

Julius Randle wants to be with Minnesota Timberwolves long term

While it was originally believed that Julius Randle’s stay in the Land of 10,000 Lakes would be temporary, he has made it very clear that he does not want that to be the case. According to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) the is a path to make that a reality.

“Julius loves it here. There is even some buzz behind the scenes. He is very open minded, already, to signing a contract extension here. [He] has the player option for next year, but, like his family already is loving things in the west metro. There’s a lot that Julius really, really likes. I mean the fact that he accepted the microphone on Saturday speaks volumes.

His 8-year-old son, huge fan, was a huge fan pre-trade, of Anthony Edwards. Now his dad gets to play with Anthony Edwards. His son, big fan of Justin Jefferson. Now in the same town as Justin Jefferson. Yeah, it’ll take some time I’m sure… but so far, so incredibly good. Plus, hey, from a financial standpoint, he did receive a 15% trade kicker.”
Darren Wolfson on a Julius Randle extension (Skor North)

It would behoove the Timberwolves to, at the least, explore a possible extension with Randle, if he can settle into the starting lineup. It’s unlikely that president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, is going to jump into extension talks immediately. The chemistry has been positive, but there are a lot of kinks that still need ironed out.

Is a contract extension for Randle feasible for Wolves?

If that happens, the finding an affordable path forward for their new asset could make sense. Remember, the Julius has a player option for 2025-26, on the end of his current contract. He’s not expected to use it, because it is “only” $31 million. But if he wants to stay in Minnesota that badly, exercising that option is a lever he does have the power to pull.

Julius Randle spinning finish through contact pic.twitter.com/KUZCjZbq3T
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) October 27, 2024

This is definitely Anthony Edwards’ team, and Rudy Gobert is now around for an extended period of time. If Randle wants to join that core it would be a positive. The two sides can work towards finding a common ground as the season progresses, but it shouldn’t be a shock if they get there.

Karl-Anthony Towns was the first overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves and spent the first nine years of his career with the organization. He wasn’t always the fan favorite, but he was certainly a pillar of consistency. Randle clearly wants to be all that, and more, now that KAT is gone.

If Chris Finch can take this collection further than the Timberwolves made it a year ago, that will be Randle’s fastest route back to the roster beyond 2024-25.