The Minnesota Timberwolves face a pivotal offseason after being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the franchise may struggle to keep key contributors Julius Randle, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Naz Reid due to financial limitations.
Speaking on Pardon My Take, Windhorst stated, “I would be kind of surprised if they could afford all three,” pointing to pending contract decisions and the franchise’s rising payroll.
All three players are eligible to enter free agency this summer.
Randle, 30, holds a $30.3 million player option for 2025 and is widely expected to opt out after averaging 21.6 points on 49.8% shooting in the playoffs.
Naz Reid, 25, posted 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in the regular season and has a $14 million player option for next year.
Alexander-Walker, 26, will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year, $9 million contract.
Minnesota already has significant long-term salary commitments to Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, tightening its cap flexibility.
Edwards is on a five-year, $205.9 million extension, further straining the Wolves’ ability to retain mid-tier veterans.
Windhorst noted that the core group could stay intact but suggested the club might need to offload another player to make room for all three free agents.
The challenge becomes more pressing after the team’s lopsided Game 5 loss to the Thunder, which exposed depth concerns and ball-handling issues off the bench.
Randle led Minnesota with 24 points in the elimination game, while Reid contributed 11 points and three blocks in 24 minutes.
Alexander-Walker, however, went scoreless on 0-of-8 shooting, capping a postseason where he averaged just 8.9 points on 41.9% from the field.
Minnesota’s lack of offensive consistency outside of Edwards and Randle was evident throughout the series, especially against Oklahoma City’s pressure defense.
If all three players opt for new deals, the Timberwolves will be forced to weigh potential luxury tax implications or consider roster reconfiguration.
