Wolves Need to Sign Julius Randle Long-Term After Naz Reid Contract amid NBA Rumors

The Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive season, falling just short of advancing for a shot at the franchise's first NBA title.

Recognizing how important it is to keep the core players together, the organization signed Naz Reid a five-year, $125 million deal to stay with Minnesota. With that deal in place for the talented, 25-year-old center, the T'Wolves are turning their attention to veteran forward Julius Randle.

Marc Stein reported that there is growing belief that the team will look to strike a long-term deal with Randle, which would keep him with the organization for the foreseeable future (h/t Hoops Hype).

Randle, traded from the Knicks in the package that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple, scored fewer points than he did during his time in New York with 18.7, but he was his most efficient from the paint since the 2018-19 season, shooting 48.5 percent.

He also shot 34.4 percent from beyond the arc, a three-point improvement over last season.

The three-time All-Star added 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists to round out an impressive initial season with the Timberwolves.

While it took time to discover the chemistry with his Minnesota teammates that he had with the Knicks, Randle came on strong late in the season and was one of the highlights of the team's playoff run.

Awarding him with a long-term deal and hoping he can sustain the momentum he built for himself late, all while chasing the NBA title that has eluded the Timberwolves for the entirety of their existence, is the right call for a franchise still figuring out what it means to have a star of Anthony Edwards' magnitude and ability.

Surrounding him with difference makers like Randle and Reid, who can play within the confines of the system and amplify what Edwards does well, should always be the objective and it appears as though the front office realizes that.

Randle and Reid worked well on the court, too, which bodes well given how similar their styles are. What they bring in year two could be the difference between exiting before the NBA Finals and competing for the title.