Letting NAZ Walk...

[FNG]

I think best case scenario is Randle and Naz both opt into their contracts. I wouldn't extend Randle but I would look at extending Naz off of his opt in which you could max out at 4/87 million. There isn't much money in free agency this summer, and it's almost impossible for apron teams to perform sign and trades. There is a lot of money in free agency in 2026 so both players might want to bet on themselves that they can get a huge raise next summer. Both players would be salary slots that you could make another move such as a trade right away this summer with Randle or in the future. Randle and Donte for a player, Randle and Mike for a player.

Yeah, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out. And we ought to know who the Wolves value the most with which one gets an extension. Well, unless they extend both of them, or neither of them -- then we still won't know!

The sequence is pretty plain, too. First comes the draft - do we stock up on bigs? Then comes the Randle player option. And the next day, the NAZ player option. After that, we will have a good idea what the Wolves might be looking for in free agency, if anything.

One thing we have learned, TC likes to get his ducks in a row earlier than later.

We may find out who we value most. But just as likely we find out who values us most, and I'm pretty sure that's Randle. He loves it here, likes playing for Finch, and is pretty sure he'll have a starting role. I think we have a good bargaining position with him if we want to extend. But Naz not so much. Unlike Ju, he's a big city boy, and I don't even know if he lives here...we know so little about his personal life compared to other guys on the team. And I assume he wants to start, and doesn't see a great chance of that if Ju stays. We may value Naz more because he is younger (but I don't know that we necessarily do), but I think Ju values us more than Naz.

[Coolbreeze44]

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on trading Randle after he opts in?

[Wolvesfan21]

This thread was made under the assumption that Randle signs an extension. But you added a nice little wrinkle -- what if BOTH players opt out.

That would really help the Wolves if both NAZ and Randle did not pick up their player options, because it would put the Wolves a bit more in the drivers seat as to how they want to proceed.

For Randle unless Brooklyn wants him for there entire cap space which I forget the exact number but was around 30 to 35 mill must opt in for his 31 option. No one has cap space to pay him more then he can opt in for. Ju is not the missing piece to make Brooklyn a contender. To me Randle opting is is 99.9%.

Naz is more 50/50 but we can extend to to a pretty nice salary bump. That seems like 75% likely to me. He can risk playing on his 1 year opt in and not extend, however no gaurantee he gets paid more then 22 mill next offseason either. We've seen plenty of players turn down big offers and walk away after with peanuts after injury or a poor year. If I was his agent I say take the bag. It's a nice bag to take too.

To me I think the front office wants both top opt in. You want the players under team contract so you can at least trade them. Walking for nothing is the worst result.

[Wolvesfan21]

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on trading Randle after he opts in?

I wouldn't think so, I've watched plenty of podcasts mentioning trades and Timberwolves options and never have they mentioned a restriction. Guys in the know too like Windy and Marks. IDK for sure though!

[60WinTim]

Getting back to Dr. Seuss...

My favorite for "Thing 1" if Rasheer Fleming. The guy has the tools to play both PF and C. His strength is rim protection and rebounding, a great compliment to either NAZ or Randle. He even comes with a 3-point shot!

The downside is he played at St. Joes, thus didn't have the greatest competition. And he is a 3-year player, thus doesn't have the same upside as many of these 19-year-olds. But if his skills translate to the NBA, he seems like a helpful compliment to our big man rotation. Interesting decision for TC as to what he is looking for at #17.

[thedoper]

Philosophically losing Naz would really hurt. He is our only true development story. I am not sure what team would be the perfect fit for him, I guess the Lakers with Luka?

[AussieWolf3]

Here are the bigs the "final four" teams have utilized as part of their core rotation, meaning they play every game and not just spot minutes:

OKC - Hartenstein and Holmgren

MN - Rudy, Randle, and Naz

Ind - Turner, Siakam, and Toppin

NYK - KAT and Robinson

My issue is how much of our cap space should be allocated to those three bigs, which ultimately proved to be flawed when we got to OKC?

Bottom line is I absolutely do not want to start next season with $90+ million tied up in three bigs. May be we retain one of Naz or Randle (I'd prefer Naz) and then go and get a cheaper backup Center, of which there will be multiple available. Whatever functionality we lose in Naz (shooting) or Randle (scoring and play making) needs to be transferred to perimeter guard and wing players like Shannon, Dillingham, and/or a more prominent name we trade for.

Pretty strongly agree here.

You need to replace one skill set with someone from a different position group.

Naz may not be the better player but he loosen up the floor and position logjam a lot. Julius makes it really difficult to move Jaden to PF more often

[kekgeek]

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on trading Randle after he opts in?

Can be traded by with no restrictions the second he opts in

[kekgeek]

I see the extension talk a lot here. Just so people know the extension is only if they opt in. So if they opt out but theoretically could be offered the max by the wolves or any other team with the necessary cap space.

The 4/87 million for Naz and the 4/184 for Randle is the extension that can only happen if they opt in to their current contract. Also if they opt in and extend the can not be traded during the season

[Coolbreeze44]

I see the extension talk a lot here. Just so people know the extension is only if they opt in. So if they opt out but theoretically could be offered the max by the wolves or any other team with the necessary cap space.

The 4/87 million for Naz and the 4/184 for Randle is the extension that can only happen if they opt in to their current contract. Also if they opt in and extend the can not be traded during the season

Thanks for clearing that up Kek