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With Player Option Looming, Julius Randle Expresses Love for Timberwolves

Minnesota's season ended on Wednesday night with a Game 5 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mike McDaniel

With a player option on his contract looming this summer, Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle expressed love for the organization.
With a player option on his contract looming this summer, Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle expressed love for the organization. / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
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The Minnesota Timberwolves' season ended on Wednesday night with a 124-94 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

Members of the Timberwolves spoke with reporters on Thursday morning as the team formally concluded its season.

Timberwolves star Julius Randle shined in his first season with the team. After an offseason blockbuster trade sent him to Minnesota from the New York Knicks, Randle played a key role in helping the franchise reach the Western Conference finals.

But it's unclear whether or not Randle will be back for a second season in Minnesota. He has a player option for next season worth nearly $31 million that he can either exercise, or decline to test free agency or sign an extension with the Timberwolves.

Regardless of what happens this summer, Randle expressed appreciation for the organization in his first season with the team.

"I will say that I love it here," Randle said when asked about his player option. "This is the most meaningful basketball I've played in my career. From how the organization has made me feel - the front office, and my teammates and playing with Ant as our leader. I love it. There's a lot to be excited about. I haven't really thought about [the player option] but having the ability to compete for a championship is everything I can ask for at this point in my career. So we'll see."

In 69 regular season games, the 30-year-old Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 48.5% shooting.

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Mike McDaniel
MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.

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