Julius Randle Earns $1.4M Contract Bonus for Timberwolves' Playoff Berth, Games Played

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle is a little richer after Sunday's win over the Utah Jazz in the 2024 regular-season finale.

ESPN's Bobby Marks noted that as the Timberwolves clinched a spot in the playoffs, Randle fulfilled the requirements for a $1.4 million bonus by playing over 65 games and helping the team earn a postseason berth.

Randle had 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a block in Minnesota's 116-105 win over Utah. He finished with averages of 18.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists across 68 games played in his first season with the Timberwolves.

The New York Knicks traded Randle to Minnesota over the offseason as part of the deal that sent star big man Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple. The 30-year-old was coming off a disappointing 2023-24 campaign in which he was limited to 46 games due to season-ending shoulder surgery, so Marks noted his bonus "was deemed unlikely before the start of the season" because he wasn't expected to play over 65 games.

Randle can test free agency this offseason if he declines his $30.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season. After a solid season with the Timberwolves that will conclude in the playoffs, perhaps he could choose to stick around for another year.

For now, Randle will be focused on trying to help Minnesota make its first trip to the NBA Finals, as the team will open the postseason against the Denver Nuggets next week. The Timberwolves made a run to the Western Conference Finals last year before falling to the Dallas Mavericks in five games, so they will be motivated to break through this time around.