Timberwolves forward Julius Randle earned a bonus worth $1.4MM on Sunday when Minnesota clinched a playoff spot, reports ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link). As Marks explains, the terms of Randle’s contract called for him to earn that extra $1.4MM on top of his base salary if he appeared in 65 games and the Wolves made the playoffs.
That contract incentive had been deemed “unlikely” entering the season and hadn’t counted against Randle’s cap hit — even though the veteran forward made the playoffs last season with New York, he didn’t appear in 65 games and therefore didn’t earn the bonus in ’23/24.
However, Randle had another $1.4MM bonus for making the All-Star team which was considered likely entering this season and counted against the cap because he was an All-Star in 2024. He didn’t earn that bonus this season, so he essentially just swapped one bonus out for a second one worth the same amount, meaning it won’t affect Minnesota’s financial situation this season and won’t change his cap hit for ’25/26.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- Several Jazz veterans, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson, were asked during their end-of-season media sessions whether they want to remain in Utah. Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune passes along the responses from those players, all of whom said the right things about hoping to stick with the Jazz. Asked about exercising his 2025/26 player option, Collins expressed interest in doing so, but added, “I’m just open to anything at the end of the day. And I just want it to be the right move. If it does mean staying here, being in Utah, I’m cool with that. I just want it, like I said, to be right, and something I can cherish going forward and look back on in my career and be happy.”
- The Jazz‘s 17-65 record this season was the worst mark the team has posted in its 51-year history. But, given that Utah finished the season atop the draft lottery order and is assured of a top-five pick in this year’s draft, was 2024/25 actually a success? Larsen weighs that question for The Salt Lake Tribune, evaluating whether or not the team tanked effectively, adequately developed its young players, and maintained fan interest.
- On the other end of the Western Conference standings, the 68-win Thunder set a new NBA record by finishing the season with a point differential of +12.9 points per game, notes Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. The previous record was set by the 1971/72 Lakers, who outscored opponents by 12.3 points per contest.
Markkanen (personal, hiccups, conditioning, illness, knee, fatigue, general soreness) will miss his press conference
TWolves vs Lakers is prime time TV. Gotta give Lakers credit for finishing third. I don’t see them beating a healthy Minny team 4 times. Whole new season now. No AD means no interior D. Forget Rudy who should control the boards. I see Randle bully ball all series. OneWay Wonder will be exposed……..
In my opinion after seeing so much more Luka lately he probably grades a tick above avg defensively on that end- Best rebounding guard in the league, good IQ, uses his mass well to seal off angles, jumps lanes like a magician
He can get blown by by quicker guards in space but besides that he doesn’t have too many blemishes on that side. I would say the mid range game and fts are a bigger area of improvement right now for Luka on the offensive side
He’s currently on his best behavior,
Lack of effort as a help defender, on rotations and closeouts has always been the issue. He’s ok when he tries hard. Historically that isn’t a given.
Totally fair assessment Mr Hamilton
Offensively Luke is great. But you can get in his head. Then he lises focus. AE has to attack him constantly. Make him go hero ball. Lakers have no rim protection. Whoever Luka is on. You have to attack him.
Luka can kill you on O. But he isn’t quick or fast. Pick him up 90 ft, 3/4, or half court. And you have the clock on your side. Love to see Williams on him most of game. His handle is not tight …..
Lakers don’t shoot well. It’s over.