Julius Randle, Naz Reid Reportedly Expected Back with T-Wolves in 2025 NBA Free Agency

While the Minnesota Timberwolves ownership situation remains in a state of limbo, the core of their roster for the 2025-26 season could look similar to what it is right now.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, there is a "general belief" around the NBA that Julius Randle and Naz Reid will remain with the T-Wolves even though both could become free agents this summer.

It's unclear at this point if that means they are going to sign new contracts or exercise their player options for 2025-26. Randle has a $30.9 million player option in his current deal, while Reid would earn just over $15 million if he plays on his option.

Of course, any discussion about talent could be dependent on what happens with ownership. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore won their arbitration case against current Timberwolves governor Glen Taylor in a ruling announced on Feb. 10.

The Rodriguez-Lore team also submitted documents to the NBA league office showing they have raised an additional $950 million that is in an escrow account as they look to finalize their purchase of the franchise.

Even though the NBA held a board of governors meeting on Thursday, there was no vote held to formally approve the Timberwolves sale. Commissioner Adam Silver told reporters that Taylor has the right to appeal the arbitration decision, so they are "on hold there and waiting for decisions among the parties."

The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski reported when the arbitration ruling was first announced that Taylor isn't expected to challenge the decision.

There's also the looming issue with president of basketball operations Tim Connelly. He also has an opt-out decision this summer after restructuring his contract in June to return for the 2024-25 campaign.

Connelly, who was a key architect in building the Denver Nuggets roster that won the 2023 NBA Finals, has been with Minnesota since May 2022. He would likely be one of the most sought-after executives if he decides to leave the Timberwolves.

Minnesota currently has $244 million in cap commitments on the books for next season between player salaries and cap holds. That figure includes the salaries for Randle and Reid on their player options.

One of the reasons the Timberwolves decided to trade Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks prior to the start of this season was because of the remaining money he was owed and a luxury-tax bill that would have been around $51 million.

The trade did keep the Timberwolves deep into the tax this season, but they don't have many salary commitments beyond 2025-26. Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels are their only players with guaranteed contracts after next season.

Randle and Reid are having solid seasons. The former ranks second on the team with 18.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 60 starts, while the latter, who won Sixth Man of the Year last season, is averaging a career-high 14.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 72 appearances.

The Timberwolves have won nine of their last 12 games and sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 41-32 record.