The Minnesota Timberwolves signed Julius Randle to a three-year $100 million contract extension that the franchise will quickly regret. The three-time All-Star struggles with consistency and is no stranger to head-scratching performances. Wolves fans saw it last season, but it will only get more maddening as Minnesota's title hopes are pinned to the 6’9 forward.
The Timberwolves need Randle’s scoring and playmaking. He averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.7 steals in 32.3 minutes per game last season. His 3-point shooting can be streaky, but the Wolves need even more in year two. Nickeil Alexander-Walker left in free agency, and Mike Conley is nearing the end of his career. The lost playmaking will fall to Randle and Anthony Edwards.
Minnesota has their sights set on a championship after back-to-back conference finals appearances, but the West is loaded. Randle’s inconsistency could have the Wolves flirting with the Play-In Tournament, and fans won’t be happy.
Timberwolves will quickly regret the Julius Randle extension
Do not be surprised to see Randle’s turnovers leap closer to 3.5 per game and his 3-point shooting likely dips closer to his career average. Those small decreases are massive for Minnesota.
The defending champion Thunder are the best team in the West entering the season, but the Rockets and Nuggets have made significant upgrades to try to catch up to OKC. Minnesota, both Los Angeles teams, and the Warriors all believe they are serious contenders. One of those seven squads will be in the Play-In Tournament.
The Wolves can’t afford to give away games where Randle has eight turnovers or only scores five points. His inconsistency in energy, effort, and production is maddening and only worsens as fans become more familiar with his game. Minnesota needs every win, so even one off night will increase the tension.
By January, the Wolves will be locked into a tight race to avoid the Play-In Tournament. They will have their answer about their young talents and will have holes to fill. Do not be surprised to see them shopping Randle for an upgrade. This three-year deal only pays him roughly 20 percent of the salary cap. It is a steal when he’s playing like an All-Star and a headache otherwise.
Ultimately, the Timberwolves' season will be defined by playoff success. Getting a higher seed by thriving in the regular season is ideal, but nobody remembers they were just the sixth seed by only one game entering the postseason.
Randle played well in the first two rounds of the 2025 playoffs before falling flat in the conference finals. Wolves fans will think back to him averaging more turnovers than assists and his two single-digit scoring nights whenever the 30-year-old struggles. It is those inconsistencies that drive fans crazy, and it is not stopping this late into the veteran’s career.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will regret extending Julius Randle and may look to trade him before the deadline to solve their roster issues. The three-time All-Star helped them reach the conference finals after the stunning trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to New York, but there are still questions. Randle’s career suggests things will end poorly, and it could happen quickly. Do not be surprised to see the regret setting in by January.