“The Timberwolves and Lynx are no longer for sale,” Glen Taylor said, kick-starting the ownership dispute for the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the issue is expected to be solved in November with the help of arbitrators, a new problem has glaringly surfaced. Notably, this could end the team’s existence! Alex Rodriguez & Marc Lore, who intend to take over, have also just received a fair warning signal over an annual $100 million loss. Amid this confusion, Julius Randle’s stay hangs by a loose thread.

In the last two years, the Wolves have emerged as a dominant side in the West. Especially, the team went deep into the playoffs last season for the first time in the last two decades. However, the team’s on-court domination doesn’t reflect the ugly ownership tussle. Glen Taylor, the current owner, scrapped the ownership transfer to A-Rod & Co. mid-way after two installments.

Despite this team continued to add value to the roster, roping in Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo after trading out the Wolves’ beloved Karl-Anthony Towns. Amid this soul-crushing moment for the fans, Brian Windhorst dropped a hammer on NBA on ESPN. He said, “ESPN understands that the Wolves are facing a $100 million financial loss season this year. In the bottom-bottom line, they were going to be in the red, 9 figures. This is a team that has operated relatively frugally for decades.”

Windhorst added that the team continued to build its roster despite the financial “mess”. Notably, with Rudy Gobert’s contract yet to be extended, the team extended Mike Conley Jr.’s contract for 2 years worth $21 million. Above all, this loss isn’t for the current year alone. The veteran analyst further said, “They’re facing this huge loss and not only this year, but into the future. Huge tax bill,” indicating the second apron tax.

Most importantly, Windy said, “They could be facing renting Julius Randle,” highlighting the volatile situation that emerged out of the blockbuster trade with the New York Knicks. What does Anthony Edwards’ team’s future look like?

Julius Randle’s future stay with the Wolves is in question, amidst a financial nightmare and contract problems creeping up soon

Well, the answer to the question looks like a big NO. Brian Windhorst has made it extremely clear that this blockbuster trade is forced decision of the financial strangle rather than a basketball decision. He added, “I don’t know if Randle extends there… They were willing to make that type of trade with a star player in Karl Towns, probably an overpaid star player. But still. You just don’t find that every day and so it had to be a sort of this perfect storm between these two teams!”

Notably, amid this situation, the ESPN vet pointed out that the team’s president, Tim Connelly, “engineered his contract to give himself an out after this season because this could end up being a mess.” However, one may wonder- Will the Wolves escape the mess if Randle opts out of his $30.9 million player option for 2025-26, then? Will it clear the cap space? It really doesn’t look like it.

Firstly, it would even require even Rudy Gobert to opt-out. The team may have to take yet another financial risk pertaining to their Sixth Man of the Year winner, Naz Reid. With Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert already on max contracts, Reid is also already eligible for an extension. If he declines his $15 million player option, he will enter free agency next summer. Above all, this will put the team in a tough situation, putting the front office in a compulsion to sign yet another max contract to lose another key player.

So, the important question is, will the Wolves manage to swim out of this financial struggle? Let us know in the comments.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.