Fresh off a Western Conference Finals appearance, head coach Chris Finch and team president Tim Connelly have publicly expressed their expectation that Randle—along with fellow Naz Reid—will be back in Minneapolis next season, despite both players holding significant player options for 2025-26.

Randle’s impact in Minnesota

Julius Randle arrived in Minnesota last offseason as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks.

The transition wasn’t seamless. Randle struggled with injuries and inconsistent play through much of the regular season, needing time to adapt to a new system and find his role alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert.

But as the year progressed, so did Randle’s impact. Down the stretch, he was instrumental in the Timberwolves’ 17-4 finish to close the regular season, providing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking that helped secure the team’s second consecutive trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Randle’s playoff run was a microcosm of his season: moments of dominance interspersed with frustration. He averaged 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 15 postseason games, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.

There were signature moments—like his emphatic third-quarter takeover in Game 3 against the Thunder, igniting the Target Center crowd and shifting the series momentum. Yet there were also tough nights, including a career-low five-point outing in Game 4, after which Randle took responsibility for his struggles and vowed to figure things out.

Randle’s contract decision

Randle holds a $30.9 million player option for next season, making his future technically uncertain. However, both Randle and the Timberwolves have signaled mutual interest in continuing their partnership.

 “That’s first and foremost the most important thing. We certainly want them there,” Coach Finch said. “I know Tim Connelly is working hard to make sure that they get some sort of deals done that'll make them happy and want to stay and feel gratitude that the team is taking care of them.”

While Randle could test the market, the sense around the franchise is that both sides are motivated to work out an extension or a new contract that keeps him in Minnesota for the long term.

After helping lead the Timberwolves to the brink of the NBA Finals, both Randle and the organization appear committed to building on this foundation. With contract negotiations expected to heat up in the coming weeks, Minnesota fans can expect to see Randle back in a Timberwolves uniform—ready to chase another deep playoff run and, perhaps, the franchise’s first NBA title.