A new deal between Julius Randle and the Minnesota Timberwolves is close to being finalized, potentially extending his stay with the team until the 2027-28 season, according to a source familiar with the agreement on Sunday. The agreement includes a final year option for Randle, which if exercised, could increase the total contract value to $100 million. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press, revealed that the agreement had not been formally announced by either party, with ESPN and The Athletic being the first to report on it. Randle, who previously had a $30.9 million player option for the upcoming season and could have become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, had an impressive season with the Timberwolves, averaging 18.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and contributing to the team’s success in reaching the Western Conference finals. Randle was a key player in the trade last year that saw Karl-Anthony Towns move from Minnesota to New York. Before joining the Timberwolves, Randle had a five-season stint with the Knicks. A three-time All-Star, Randle has maintained strong averages of 19 points and 9.1 rebounds per game over his 11-year career spanning the Timberwolves, Knicks, New Orleans, and the Los Angeles Lakers. For more NBA news, visit https://apnews.com/hub/NBA.
