Julius Randle Talks T-Wolves Future After Knicks Trade: 'I Do Want to Be Here'
October 3, 2024
Amid questions about his future after being acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Julius Randle is making it known he is happy to be with his new team.
At his introductory press conference on Thursday, Randle said being with the T-Wolves is "super important" because he feels wanted.
"You want to be somewhere where you're wanted," he explained. "I feel wanted here. ... Ultimately, yeah, I do want to be here."
Randle said his initial reaction to the trade was shock, but then he felt excited about playing in Minnesota and reuniting with head coach Chris Finch.
The Knicks sent Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves as part of a three-team trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to New York.
Finch was an associate head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans during Randle's lone season with the team in 2018-19. He had the best season of his career up to that point, averaging 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in 73 appearances.
There were a lot of reactions to the surprise trade, not least of which was how it impacted the long-term financial outlook for the Timberwolves. It's well known they have an unsettled ownership situation with an arbitration hearing set to begin on Nov. 4.
The Timberwolves saved $26.5 million in payroll and luxury tax savings in the deal.
Yossi Gozlan @YossiGozlanThe Minnesota Timberwolves stand to save $26.5 million in payroll and luxury tax penalties if they don't take on any additional salaries in this trade.<br><br>They are still set to be over the $188.9 million second apron this season. They're $14.5 million above it with 15 players.
Randle's contract pays him $33.1 million for the upcoming season, plus a player option for just under $31 million in 2025-26. Rudy Gobert is also entering the last guaranteed season of his contract with a $43.8 million salary and a $46.7 million player option for 2025-26.
NBA rules limit the amount of money Randle could sign for if he wanted to extend his deal with the Timberwolves right now. He is only allowed to add three years to his contract with a starting salary that is 105 percent of the final-year salary on his current deal.
Per The Athletic's Fred Katz, Randle was eligible for a four-year, $181 million extension with the Knicks prior to the trade.
Randle had his best-sustained success in the NBA during his five seasons with the Knicks. He was named to the All-Star team and All-NBA team twice, as well as the 2020-21 Most Improved Player award.
A shoulder injury that required surgery ended Randle's 2023-24 season after 46 games. He averaged 24.0 points on 47.2 percent shooting, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game prior to the injury.
The Timberwolves are betting on Randle being able to improve their offensive output and maintain their high-level defensive intensity after advancing to the Western Conference Finals last season for just the second time in franchise history.
