The first domino has fallen in the Minnesota Timberwolves' offseason.
According to Shams Charania, the Wolves signed center Naz Reid to a lucrative five-year, $125 million extension on June 27, securing Reid's future in Minnesota long term.
A contract of that magnitude is going to have impacts elsewhere on the Timberwolves roster, and with many veteran players facing uncertainty heading into the offseason, the commitment to Reid is surely a sign they could be shown the door.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) laughs with a teammate during a stoppage in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Target Center.
Naz Reid
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Reacting to the Reid contract news, insider Dane Moore argued that with Reid's contract secured, Julius Randle and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are on the chopping block.
"A 5-year, $125M is a significant step above the 5-year, $109M opt-in and extend option for Naz Reid. Wolves are still finalizing structure of Reid’s new deal, per source," Moore wrote in a post on X. "With a deal of that size, without making another significant cost-cutting move, the Wolves will not be able to retain both Randle and Alexander-Walker while staying under the 2nd apron."
While there is the possibility of retaining Randle and Alexander-Walker, a departure is looking more likely with the commitment to Reid.
Randle has a $30.9 million player option in his contract, while Alexander-Walker is an unrestricted free agent. However, retaining both would likely put the Timberwolves into the second apron, which would cost the franchise $65 million in taxes -- a tough bill to front for the new ownership group, who just officially took over last week.
The impasse this offseason was always going to involve the trio of Reid, Randle and Alexander-Walker. However, there is still the possibility that the team moves off another veteran by trade and keeps all three.
Rudy Gobert would likely be the outside candidate to be moved by trade, but Reid's contract insinuates that he won't be taking on a prominent starting role, suggesting Gobert is safe.