Latest news with #JuliusRandle
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Timberwolves Get Major Update on Julius Randle, Naz Reid Future
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off their second straight defeat in the Western Conference Finals as they enter the offseason. Minnesota just hasn't been able to get over the hump in recent years, and it could see them potentially make some changes this offseason. More NBA news: Raptors, Grizzlies Listed Among Surprising Trade Partners For Giannis Antetokounmpo The Timberwolves have a few crucial players entering into free agency, so the front office has some work to do. Forward Julius Randle, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are the main players that Minnesota has to consider. Randle and Reid can both opt out of the final years of their deals, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker is simply an unrestricted free agent. Minnesota would love to keep all three, but financially, it likely isn't possible. After the elimination, insider Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic provided a big update on the future of the players. According to Krawczynski, the Timberwolves may only be able to keep two of the three players. "Given the salary cap constraints, it seems likely that the most realistic path forward is for the Wolves to retain two of those three players. Alexander-Walker was one of the biggest bargains in the league this season at $4.3 million and is due a significant raise this summer." DENVER, CO - MARCH 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets rebounds the ball while being defended by Naz Reid #11 and Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at... DENVER, CO - MARCH 12: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets rebounds the ball while being defended by Naz Reid #11 and Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Ball Arena on March 12, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. More Photo byThe Timberwolves have valued depth and size across the roster over the past two years. Each of these players gives them the ability to be switchable on defense, while providing them with enough offense as well. The priorities for the Timberwolves will likely be Randle and Reid, but Minnesota also needs wing depth to keep going strong. Alexander-Walker is going to be getting a large pay increase on the open market, so it could see him bolt the team. But the Timberwolves will see how expensive it will be to keep the others around as well. Randle fit in nicely alongside star Anthony Edwards, and Minnesota paid a big price to land him in a trade last offseason. Reid has been solid for Minnesota, but his inconsistency at times could see the Timberwolves let him walk. The veteran also mentioned in his end-of-the-year press conference that he views himself as a starter, and that could complicate things a little. Either way, it seems that Minnesota will do what it needs in order to keep the majority of the team around. But as with any club, sometimes that means a key player does become the odd man out. More NBA news: Bulls Were Reportedly Willing to Blow Up Roster for Lakers' Luka Doncic Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Could Match LeBron James, Steph Curry NBA Finals Feat Lakers Listed as Potential Landing Spot For All-Star Center For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Axios
a day ago
- Sport
- Axios
Big decisions for Wolves this offseason
The bad news is another thrilling Wolves season has ended with a disappointing loss in the Western Conference Finals. The good news is this team's window for contending for a title remains wide open. State of play: Of the eight main players who get regular minutes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the only free agent, while Julius Randle and Naz Reid have the option to become free agents this summer. 23-year-old superstar Anthony Edwards and rising star Jaden McDaniels are under contract for four more seasons, and veterans Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo for two more. Some of the young players should be ready for expanded roles, namely Terrence Shannon Jr., who showed flashes in short spurts in the playoffs, and Jaylen Clark, a defensive menace. Yes, but: There are a few big questions facing the team. Can they keep Randle and Reid? Both power forwards have the chance to become free agents this offseason. Are the Wolves willing to shell out most of their salary cap space to keep them both? If so, it likely means Alexander-Walker is gone. What's the plan at point guard? Mike Conley Jr. will be 38 next year and it's not clear how much he will have left in the tank. The Wolves will need to decide if second-year PG Rob Dillingham is ready for an expanded role, or if they need to find a veteran. Would they trade Gobert? The Stifle Tower is still a force on defense, but the playoffs exposed a decline in his already limited offensive game, as well as his rebounding. If they trade him, they will need to find a new rim protector. Will Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore shell out the big bucks? Keeping their best players is going to cost a lot of money. If the two owners close on the acquisition of the team this summer — as expected — fans will expect them to spend big to keep the team in the mix.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Thunder overwhelm outmatched Timberwolves in Game 5 win, secure spot in 2025 NBA Finals
This one was over from the start. A superior Oklahoma City Thunder team swarmed the Minnesota Timberwolves from the opening tip Wednesday night and cruised to a 124-94 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Advertisement The victory secured a 4-1 series for the Thunder and a berth in the NBA Finals. There, the Thunder will be overwhelming favorites to secure the franchise's first NBA championship since it moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, no matter the opponent. Thunder cap impressive run through West in dominant fashion The Thunder were the best team in the NBA all regular season and look very much poised to challenge for the title after steamrolling the Timberwolves in what was largely a dominant run through the Western Conference playoffs. The Denver Nuggets pushed the Thunder to the brink in a stout seven-game test in the conference semifinals. But the Thunder capped the series with a Game 7 blowout over a core that led the Nuggets to a championship just two seasons ago. OKC's depth and persistence on both sides of the floor ultimately wore Denver down. Advertisement Outside of that series, the West was a cakewalk for the Thunder, whose relentless defense and efficient offense were considerably more than either the Memphis Grizzlies or Timberwolves could handle. Look no further than Wednesday's first quarter for evidence. Overwhelming first quarter sinks Timberwolves The Timberwolves got on the board first with a 3-point shot by Julius Randle. They didn't score again until an Anthony Edwards layup with 6:53 left in the quarter mercifully ended a 1-for-11 start from the field. By the time the first quarter was done, the Thunder had opened a 26-9 lead and limited the Timberwolves to their lowest output in any quarter this season. Cason Wallace added insult to injury with a 3-pointer to beat the first-quarter buzzer on a pass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Timberwolves shot 3 of 20 from the field in the opening stanza. They missed all nine of their 3-point attempts. Edwards (six points) and Randle (three points) were the only Timberwolves players to score. Gilgeous-Alexander (12 points) outscored the Timberwolves on his own. SGA named series MVP Oklahoma City's MVP ended the game with 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 14 of 25 from the field in another scintillating playoff effort that ended with him earning Western Conference finals MVP via a unanimous vote. Thunder keep on the gas The tepid first-quarter effort signaled that Minnesota's season was, indeed, over. There was no reprieve in the second quarter, and the Thunder entered halftime with a 65-32 lead. By then, the Timberwolves had more turnovers (14) than made field goals (12). Those turnovers frequently turned into points for Oklahoma City. The only question remaining after halftime was whether Oklahoma City would challenge the record for the largest margin of victory in postseason history (58 points) that they'd flirted with already in these playoffs. Advertisement The Timberwolves fended off that ignominy and played a competitive third quarter that they won, 30-23. Their refusal to fold after getting overwhelmed in the first half can stand as a point of pride for a team that advanced to the Western Conference finals for a second straight season. But make no mistake. The Timberwolves never stood a chance in this game or this series. The Thunder forced 21 Timberwolves turnovers on Wednesday. They secured the rebounding margin 46-39. They outshot the Timberwolves from the field (52.3% to 41.2%) from 3 (40% to 35.3%) and from the free-throw line (85.7% to 80%). Chet Holmgren (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Jalen Williams (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) joined Gilgeous-Alexendar with sterling efforts to cap another big game from Oklahoma City's Big 3. Advertisement Randle (24 points, 5 rebounds) and Edwards (19 points, 6 rebounds) were the only Timberwolves starters to score more than five points. Mike Conley went scoreless. Rudy Gobert scored two points on a single field-goal attempt. Jaden McDaniels shot 2 of 13 from the field in a five-point effort. It added up to a microcosm of a dominant series for the Thunder. OKC was in a different class After the grind of a second-round series against the Nuggets, The Thunder dominated the Timberwolves in two home games en route to a 2-0 lead that sparked questions of whether they'd lose a game in the series. The Timberwolves responded emphatically in a 42-point win at home in Game 3 that marked the largest margin of defeat for the Thunder this season. But it was a mirage. Advertisement A Thunder team that's been the best in basketball all season bounced back for a hard-fought road win in Game 4 in which it repeatedly met and rejected second-half efforts from the Timberwolves to take control. Each time the Timberwolves mounted a rally in Game 4, the Thunder had an answer. They never relinquished their second-half lead. By the time Game 5 tipped Wednesday night, the series was over. A relentless and deep Thunder defense had worn down the Timberwolves, three games earlier than it did the Nuggets. Minnesota had nothing left in the tank and virtually waved the white flag before the first quarter was done. Do Pacers or Knicks stand a chance? The Thunder now stand four wins away from securing an NBA title. Barring a miracle Knicks rally from a 3-1 deficit, OKC will face an Indiana Pacers team sparked by the surge to stardom of Tyrese Haliburton. Advertisement But Haliburton and the Pacers haven't faced anything like this Thunder defense during their sensational playoff run. In the instance of a Knicks rally, neither has New York. The Thunder swept both teams in the regular season while winning three of the four games by double-digit margins. Whoever advances out of the East will face an uphill climb against a Thunder team that looks very much poised to rise to the rank of NBA champion.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thunder overwhelm outmatched Timberwolves in Game 5 win, secure spot in 2025 NBA Finals
This one was over from the start. A superior Oklahoma City Thunder team swarmed the Minnesota Timberwolves from the opening tip Wednesday night and cruised to a 124-94 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. The victory secured a 4-1 series for the Thunder and a berth in the NBA Finals. There, the Thunder will be overwhelming favorites to secure the franchise's first NBA championship since it moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, no matter the opponent. The Thunder were the best team in the NBA all regular season and look very much poised to challenge for the title after steamrolling the Timberwolves in what was largely a dominant run through the Western Conference playoffs. The Denver Nuggets pushed the Thunder to the brink in a stout seven-game test in the conference semifinals. But the Thunder capped the series with a Game 7 blowout over a core that led the Nuggets to a championship just two seasons ago. OKC's depth and persistence on both sides of the floor ultimately wore Denver down. Outside of that series, the West was a cakewalk for the Thunder, whose relentless defense and efficient offense were considerably more than either the Memphis Grizzlies or Timberwolves could handle. Look no further than Wednesday's first quarter for evidence. The Timberwolves got on the board first with a 3-point shot by Julius Randle. They didn't score again until an Anthony Edwards layup with 6:53 left in the quarter mercifully ended a 1-for-11 start from the field. By the time the first quarter was done, the Thunder had opened a 26-9 lead and limited the Timberwolves to their lowest output in any quarter this season. Cason Wallace added insult to injury with a 3-pointer to beat the first-quarter buzzer on a pass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Timberwolves shot 3 of 20 from the field in the opening stanza. They missed all nine of their 3-point attempts. Edwards (six points) and Randle (three points) were the only Timberwolves players to score. Gilgeous-Alexander (12 points) outscored the Timberwolves on his own. Oklahoma City's MVP ended the game with 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 14 of 25 from the field in another scintillating playoff effort that ended with him earning Western Conference finals MVP via a unanimous vote. The tepid first-quarter effort signaled that Minnesota's season was, indeed, over. There was no reprieve in the second quarter, and the Thunder entered halftime with a 65-32 lead. By then, the Timberwolves had more turnovers (14) than made field goals (12). Those turnovers frequently turned into points for Oklahoma City. J-DUB STEAL... J-DUB AND-1 😤😤😤OKC WITH ENERGY TO START THE 2Q ON ESPN. — NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025 The only question remaining after halftime was whether Oklahoma City would challenge the record for the largest margin of victory in postseason history (58 points) that they'd flirted with already in these playoffs. The Timberwolves fended off that ignominy and played a competitive third quarter that they won, 30-23. Their refusal to fold after getting overwhelmed in the first half can stand as a point of pride for a team that advanced to the Western Conference finals for a second straight season. But make no mistake. The Timberwolves never stood a chance in this game or this series. The Thunder forced 21 Timberwolves turnovers on Wednesday. They secured the rebounding margin 46-39. They outshot the Timberwolves from the field (52.3% to 41.2%) from 3 (40% to 35.3%) and from the free-throw line (85.7% to 80%). Chet Holmgren (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Jalen Williams (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) joined Gilgeous-Alexendar with sterling efforts to cap another big game from Oklahoma City's Big 3. Randle (24 points, 5 rebounds) and Edwards (19 points, 6 rebounds) were the only Timberwolves starters to score more than five points. Mike Conley went scoreless. Rudy Gobert scored two points on a single field-goal attempt. Jaden McDaniels shot 2 of 13 from the field in a five-point effort. It added up to a microcosm of a dominant series for the Thunder. After the grind of a second-round series against the Nuggets, The Thunder dominated the Timberwolves in two home games en route to a 2-0 lead that sparked questions of whether they'd lose a game in the series. The Timberwolves responded emphatically in a 42-point win at home in Game 3 that marked the largest margin of defeat for the Thunder this season. But it was a mirage. A Thunder team that's been the best in basketball all season bounced back for a hard-fought road win in Game 4 in which it repeatedly met and rejected second-half efforts from the Timberwolves to take control. Each time the Timberwolves mounted a rally in Game 4, the Thunder had an answer. They never relinquished their second-half lead. By the time Game 5 tipped Wednesday night, the series was over. A relentless and deep Thunder defense had worn down the Timberwolves, three games earlier than it did the Nuggets. Minnesota had nothing left in the tank and virtually waved the white flag before the first quarter was done. The Thunder now stand four wins away from securing an NBA title. Barring a miracle Knicks rally from a 3-1 deficit, OKC will face an Indiana Pacers team sparked by the surge to stardom of Tyrese Haliburton. But Haliburton and the Pacers haven't faced anything like this Thunder defense during their sensational playoff run. In the instance of a Knicks rally, neither has New York. The Thunder swept both teams in the regular season while winning three of the four games by double-digit margins. Whoever advances out of the East will face an uphill climb against a Thunder team that looks very much poised to rise to the rank of NBA champion.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Thunder overwhelm outmatched Timberwolves in Game 5 win, secure spot in 2025 NBA Finals
This one was over from the start. A superior Oklahoma City Thunder team swarmed the Minnesota Timberwolves from the opening tip Wednesday night and cruised to a 124-94 win in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. The victory secured a 4-1 series for the Thunder and a berth in the NBA Finals. There, the Thunder will be overwhelming favorites to secure the franchise's first NBA championship since it moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, no matter the opponent. The Thunder were the best team in the NBA all regular season and look very much poised to challenge for the title after steamrolling the Timberwolves in what was largely a dominant run through the Western Conference playoffs. The Denver Nuggets pushed the Thunder to the brink in a stout seven-game test in the conference semifinals. But the Thunder capped the series with a Game 7 blowout over a core that led the Nuggets to a championship just two seasons ago. OKC's depth and persistence on both sides of the floor ultimately wore Denver down. Outside of that series, the West was a cakewalk for the Thunder, whose relentless defense and efficient offense were considerably more than either the Memphis Grizzlies or Timberwolves could handle. Look no further than Wednesday's first quarter for evidence. The Timberwolves got on the board first with a 3-point shot by Julius Randle. They didn't score again until an Anthony Edwards layup with 6:53 left in the quarter mercifully ended a 1-for-11 start from the field. By the time the first quarter was done, the Thunder had opened a 26-9 lead and limited the Timberwolves to their lowest output in any quarter this season. Cason Wallace added insult to injury with a 3-pointer to beat the first-quarter buzzer on a pass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Timberwolves shot 3 of 20 from the field in the opening stanza. They missed all nine of their 3-point attempts. Edwards (six points) and Randle (three points) were the only Timberwolves players to score. Gilgeous-Alexander (12 points) outscored the Timberwolves on his own. Oklahoma City's MVP ended the game with 34 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 14 of 25 from the field in another scintillating playoff effort that ended with him earning Western Conference finals MVP via a unanimous vote. The tepid first-quarter effort signaled that Minnesota's season was, indeed, over. There was no reprieve in the second quarter, and the Thunder entered halftime with a 65-32 lead. By then, the Timberwolves had more turnovers (14) than made field goals (12). Those turnovers frequently turned into points for Oklahoma City. J-DUB STEAL... J-DUB AND-1 😤😤😤OKC WITH ENERGY TO START THE 2Q ON ESPN. — NBA (@NBA) May 29, 2025 The only question remaining after halftime was whether Oklahoma City would challenge the record for the largest margin of victory in postseason history (58 points) that they'd flirted with already in these playoffs. The Timberwolves fended off that ignominy and played a competitive third quarter that they won, 30-23. Their refusal to fold after getting overwhelmed in the first half can stand as a point of pride for a team that advanced to the Western Conference finals for a second straight season. But make no mistake. The Timberwolves never stood a chance in this game or this series. The Thunder forced 21 Timberwolves turnovers on Wednesday. They secured the rebounding margin 46-39. They outshot the Timberwolves from the field (52.3% to 41.2%) from 3 (40% to 35.3%) and from the free-throw line (85.7% to 80%). Chet Holmgren (22 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Jalen Williams (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) joined Gilgeous-Alexendar with sterling efforts to cap another big game from Oklahoma City's Big 3. Randle (24 points, 5 rebounds) and Edwards (19 points, 6 rebounds) were the only Timberwolves starters to score more than five points. Mike Conley went scoreless. Rudy Gobert scored two points on a single field-goal attempt. Jaden McDaniels shot 2 of 13 from the field in a five-point effort. It added up to a microcosm of a dominant series for the Thunder. After the grind of a second-round series against the Nuggets, The Thunder dominated the Timberwolves in two home games en route to a 2-0 lead that sparked questions of whether they'd lose a game in the series. The Timberwolves responded emphatically in a 42-point win at home in Game 3 that marked the largest margin of defeat for the Thunder this season. But it was a mirage. A Thunder team that's been the best in basketball all season bounced back for a hard-fought road win in Game 4 in which it repeatedly met and rejected second-half efforts from the Timberwolves to take control. Each time the Timberwolves mounted a rally in Game 4, the Thunder had an answer. They never relinquished their second-half lead. By the time Game 5 tipped Wednesday night, the series was over. A relentless and deep Thunder defense had worn down the Timberwolves, three games earlier than it did the Nuggets. Minnesota had nothing left in the tank and virtually waved the white flag before the first quarter was done. The Thunder now stand four wins away from securing an NBA title. Barring a miracle Knicks rally from a 3-1 deficit, OKC will face an Indiana Pacers team sparked by the surge to stardom of Tyrese Haliburton. But Haliburton and the Pacers haven't faced anything like this Thunder defense during their sensational playoff run. In the instance of a Knicks rally, neither has New York. The Thunder swept both teams in the regular season while winning three of the four games by double-digit margins. Whoever advances out of the East will face an uphill climb against a Thunder team that looks very much poised to rise to the rank of NBA champion.
