TITLE: Timberwolves Secure Reid and Randle, Navigate Tax Concerns in 2025 Offseason
SLUG: timberwolves-2025-offseason-check-in
CONTENT:
The Minnesota Timberwolves entered the 2025 summer with a mandate to retain key contributors without crossing the NBA’s second tax apron for a second straight year. They achieved that balance by re-signing forward Naz Reid to a five-year, $125 million contract and forward Julius Randle to a three-year, $100 million deal, both using Bird rights.
Free-Agent Activity
Re-signed
- Naz Reid — five years, $125 million, fifth-year player option
- Julius Randle — three years, $100 million, third-year player option
- Joe Ingles — one year, veteran minimum
- Bones Hyland — terms not yet disclosed
Departures/Unsigned
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker — sign-and-trade to Atlanta
- Jesse Edwards — Melbourne United
- Luka Garza — Boston
- Josh Minott — Boston
- Bones Hyland — listed as unsigned at publication of original report, now expected to return
- Tristen Newton — unsigned but expected on two-way deal
Trades
In a seven-team draft-night deal, Minnesota received the rights to No. 45 pick Rocco Zikarsky, a 2026 second-rounder (least favorable of Golden State or Denver), a 2032 second-rounder (more favorable of Phoenix or Houston), and $3.25 million in cash. The Timberwolves sent the rights to No. 31 pick Rasheer Fleming to Phoenix.
A separate sign-and-trade sent Nickeil Alexander-Walker to Atlanta for the Cavaliers’ 2027 second-round selection and $1.5 million.
Draft Picks and Two-Way Contracts
- No. 17: Joan Beringer — four-year rookie-scale deal worth $20,331,643
- No. 45: Rocco Zikarsky — signed to a two-way contract
- Enrique Freeman — one-year two-way, $85,300 partial guarantee (rises to $318,218 opening night)
Roster and Cap Snapshot
• Projected payroll: approximately $200.3 million
• Over the $154.6 million salary cap and the $187.9 million luxury-tax line
• Roughly $5.86 million below the $209.0 million second apron
• Taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.685 million) unused
• Active trade exceptions: $7.58 million (usable), $4.69 million (frozen)
Next Steps
The Timberwolves carry 13 guaranteed standard contracts after the Reid and Randle agreements. Bones Hyland is expected to occupy the 14th spot once contract details are finalized. Management retains the flexibility to sign a 15th player but would incur a $3.50-per-dollar tax surcharge, making any additional move likely to be cost-sensitive.
One two-way slot remains open and is anticipated to go to 2024 second-round pick Tristen Newton once his qualifying offer is formally executed.
Source: Hoops Rumors
