Overview

• Naz Reid declined his $15 million player option to commit to a five-year, $125 million extension that includes a fifth-year player option.
• Three-time All-Star Julius Randle opted out of his roughly $31 million player option to agree to a new three-year, $100 million contract with its own player option.
• Those contracts position the Timberwolves just under the NBA’s second apron, shielding them from repeater-tax penalties but limiting their use of the full midlevel exception.
• By locking in Reid’s floor spacing and Randle’s secondary playmaking, Minnesota underscores its strategy of surrounding Anthony Edwards with proven veterans.
• Salary cap constraints make the return of role players such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker unlikely and crystallize roster decisions ahead of free agency.