After the Rudy Gobert extension, the Wolves may splurge on another big deal

The addition of recently acquired All-Star power forward Julius Randle has dramatically altered the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2024-25 season. While Randle isn't nearly as good of a shooter as Karl Anthony Towns was, he was more productive offensively last season for the New York Knicks, averaging 24.1 points, 9.2 rebound, and 5 assists.

Combined with the addition of Donte DiVincenzo, the Wolves can say that they won the trade, especially if Randle is able to play about as well as Towns did. However, a lingering question post-trade relates to his future in Minnesota. He can soon sign an extension and while he probably isn't going to get the max, he might still get a nice payday were he to hit unrestricted free agency.

Will the Minnesota Timberwolves extend Julius Randle?

NBA insider Nate Duncan recently predicted (around the 48-minute mark) that the Wolves and Randle could agree to a mutually beneficial contract extension. He stated that Randle could decline his team option for the 2025–26 season, which will pay him $30 million to sign a new 3-year extension worth around $40 annually.

That would keep him in a Wolves jersey for four years (including this season) and with a potential extension around $120 million, he would come far cheaper than Towns, who will make $224 million over the same span. With $150 million committed to Randle in that scenario, plus DiVincenzo, who is making only $24 million over the next two years, the Wolves would have drastically slashed their payroll while getting better.

It would also make the Wolves more of a long-term threat in the Western Conference with them not having to worry as much about the luxury tax. Add in the ascendant Anthony Edwards, who may be the next face of the NBA and the Wolves have put themselves in a far better post-trade position.

Are the Minnesota Timberwolves better with Julius Randle this season?

Randle isn't as efficient as Towns considering that he favors mid-range jumpers over threes but he can still be a highly productive player for the Wolves. They may not rely on him as much as Towns, however, which should result in more minutes for reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid.

Their being able to do so should mean very little if any dropoff, especially if Edwards takes another major step in his development and with improved depth. As a result, the Wolves should be better this season with Randle and should look to extend him if possible.