<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-news-kristaps-porzingis-luke-kornet-luka-garza');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics replace Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet with former Timberwolves center Luka Garza');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Boston-Celtics-center-Kristaps-Porzingis-1.jpg"><figcaption>Eric Canha-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Celtics replace Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet with former Timberwolves center Luka Garza</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T17:47:30-07:00">June 30th, 5:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T17:47:30-07:00">June 30th, 5:47pm</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Last week, the Boston Celtics bid farewell to center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/atlanta-hawks/hawks-news-atlanta-acquiring-kristaps-porzingis-3-team-trade-celtics-nets" rel="noopener">Kristaps Portzingis after he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks</a>. A few days later, fellow Celtics center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-spurs-pursue-key-celtics-free-agent-luke-kornet" rel="noopener">Luke Kornet was sent to the San Antonio Spurs</a>. </p><p>On Monday, the Celtics <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939837536127553947" rel="noopener">officially signed</a> Minnesota Timberwolves center Luka Garza to a two-year, $5.5 million fully guaranteed deal, per Shams Charania of ESPN. </p><p>Garza is coming off a season in which he played 5.6 minutes per game and averaged less than five points and rebounds per game. As for Portzingis, he averaged 19.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game with the Celtics. </p><p>Portzingis played two seasons in Boston (2023-2025). He played 57 games in his first season and 42 in his second while battling injuries. While his stint was short, Portzingis won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2024. </p><p>That year, he became the first Latvian player to win an NBA championship. Kornet played five seasons in Boston and was also part of the 2024 championship team. </p><p>He averaged 5.2 points per game and shot 53.6% from the field.  As for Garza, he has been in the league since 2021, when the Detroit Pistons drafted him. </p><p>He has been with the Timberwolves since 2022. Throughout his career, he has shot 49% from the field and 31.4% from the three-point line. </p><h2><b>What does Luka Garza bring to the Celtics? </b></h2><p>Garza is a young, irreverent player still looking for his big break. In terms of scoring, he can be effective in the paint and on the perimeter. </p><p>Additionally, Garza can be a significant force in rebounding and is also very athletic. Garza will be a backup center, providing considerable minutes off the bench. </p><p>In other words, he will be in the same position as Kornet. When it comes to utilizing the pick and roll, Garza can use his size (7 foot 1) to his advantage when it comes to cutting to the basket for easy points. </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics replace Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet with former Timberwolves center Luka Garza

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/atlanta-hawks/hawks-news-nickeil-alexander-walker-sign-and-trade-with-timberwolves');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets $62 million from Hawks in Timberwolves sign-and-trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Timberwolves-Nickeil-Alexander-Walker-.jpg"><figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets $62 million from Hawks in Timberwolves sign-and-trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T17:13:55-07:00">June 30th, 5:13pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T17:37:07-07:00">June 30th, 5:37pm</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Hawks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Hawks are in the process of <a href="https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1939838752244855132" rel="noopener">finalizing</a> a sign-and-trade agreement with the Minnesota Timberwolves for swingman Nickeil Alexander-Walker, league sources told ClutchPoints.</p><p>A future 2027 second-round pick and cash will be going to Minnesota as part of this agreement.</p><p>Alexander-Walker, 26, was one of the best combo guards in free agency this offseason and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-latest-warriors-jonathan-kuminga-nba-free-agency-intel">a player the Hawks had been locked in on</a> leading up to the free agency window opening on June 30. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/atlanta-hawks/hawks-news-atlanta-acquiring-kristaps-porzingis-3-team-trade-celtics-nets">After trading for Kristaps Porzingis</a>, Atlanta now adds a terrific 3-and-D option on the perimeter to strengthen their rotations next to Trae Young and Dyson Daniels.</p><p>Once the sign-and-trade is finalized, Alexander-Walker will be joining the Hawks on a <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939838544794779934" rel="noopener">4-year, $62 million contract</a>, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.</p><p>By agreeing to a sign-and-trade, the Timberwolves will create a small trade exception for themselves that can be used for future trades to upgrade their roster.</p><p>Alexander-Walker did not miss a single game with Minnesota this past season, averaging 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 38.1 percent from 3-point range. He emerged as a key two-way weapon for the Timberwolves in the playoffs for the second straight year.</p><p>This offseason, the Hawks made it a priority to improve their roster around All-Star point guard Trae Young, who the organization has given no thought to the idea of trading, sources said. In addition to adding Porzingis, the Hawks also added Asa Newell, a dynamic frontcourt talent, in the 2025 NBA Draft.</p><p>The main reason why Alexander-Walker emerged as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-hawks-clippers-nickeil-alexander-walker-free-agency-suitors">Atlanta’s top priority in free agency</a>, besides the needs this team had in their backcourt next to Young and Daniels, was due to the Hawks’ trade exception that was set to expire.</p><p>After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/atlanta-hawks/hawks-news-atlanta-trades-dejounte-murray-pelicans">trading Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans</a> last summer, the Hawks created a $25.2 million traded player exception for themselves that was going to expire on July 6 if they had not used it. Alexander-Walker, who will be making $62 million over the next four seasons, will have his contract absorbed by Atlanta’s exception.</p><p>The Hawks maintain access to their mid-level exception by utilizing this exception.</p><p>Although Minnesota wanted to keep Alexander-Walker, doing so wasn’t going to be possible after agreeing to new contracts with both Naz Reid and Julius Randle. Before the free agency window opened on Monday, the Timberwolves had already agreed to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-naz-reid-125-million-contract-minnesota">$125 million contract with Reid</a> and a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-insider-julius-randle-trade-declaration-100-million-contract">$100 million contract with Randle.</a></p><p>Since they are projected to be an apron team during the 2025-26 season, the Timberwolves had no way of keeping Alexander-Walker and maintaining financial flexibility unless they were to part ways with Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, or Donte DiVincenzo.</p><p>With the Eastern Conference wide open entering next season, the Hawks have made it clear that they intend to be a real threat.</p><p>Alexander-Walker joins a talented, young core in Atlanta that is headlined by Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, and Daniels, next to two proven stars in Young and Porzingis.</p><p>This past season, the Hawks finished the regular season with a 40-42 record, failing to make the playoffs for the fifth time in the last eight years.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets $62 million from Hawks in Timberwolves sign-and-trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-insider-julius-randle-trade-declaration-100-million-contract');   ga('set', 'title', 'Insider makes Timberwolves’ Julius Randle trade declaration after $100 million contract');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Julius-Randle-on-May-24-2025.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Insider makes Timberwolves’ Julius Randle trade declaration after $100 million contract</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T09:49:21-07:00">June 30th, 9:49am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T09:49:21-07:00">June 30th, 9:49am</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Timberwolves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Timberwolves recently confirmed that they have locked in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/grading-timberwolves-100-million-julius-randle-contract" rel="noopener">Julius Randle on a three-year, $100 million deal</a>. Randle will also have a player option for the 2027-28 season and sees a slight pay rise that takes his salary for next season to around $33.3 million.</p><p>The indication may be that Randle is a core piece as the Timberwolves attempt to build from their Western Conference finals finish last season. However, while contracts of this nature generally come with a six-month trade restriction, the same does not seem to apply to Randle’s deal.</p><p>Due to the specifics of his new contract, Randle remains trade-eligible, according to NBA Insider Jon Krawczynski. The six-month trade restriction on new contracts do not apply <a href="https://x.com/JonKrawczynski/status/1939494400016449959" rel="noopener">if three conditions are met</a>.</p><p>Firstly, the contract should not exceed a period of four years, which in Randle’s case includes the 2024-25 campaign. Further, the first-year salary should not exceed 120% of the previous year’s. Randle earned just south of $30 million for last season, and will only earn around $3 million more for the upcoming campaign.</p><p>Finally, the overall rise/decline should not exceed over 5% of the overall contract, another condition that Krawczynski confirmed is met in Randle’s case. </p><p>“As far as I know, he is trade eligible,” The Athletic writer wrote on X. However, this does not mean that the Timberwolves have plans to trade him in the near future. </p><p>“I’ve been told no. But they do have the flexibility down the road if they want/need to,” he wrote, confirming that the $100 million contract does not guarantee that Minnesota will stick with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-julius-randle-labeled-nba-free-agencys-most-interesting-man">Julius Randle in the near future</a>.</p><p>In his first season with the Timberwolves, Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. This improved to over 21 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists in the postseason. </p><p>While he had his fair share of struggles in the conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Randle produced 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in the series against the Warriors and the Lakers. That impact has not only been aptly rewarded, but should also protect him from a surprising trade in the near future, despite the Timberwolves having the option to move him. </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Insider makes Timberwolves’ Julius Randle trade declaration after $100 million contract

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/atlanta-hawks/nba-rumors-hawks-poised-beat-out-pistons-coveted-timberwolves-free-agent');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Hawks poised to beat out Pistons for coveted Timberwolves free agent');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Wolves_-bench.jpg"><figcaption>Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Hawks poised to beat out Pistons for coveted Timberwolves free agent</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-30T08:43:28-07:00">June 30th, 8:43am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-30T08:44:27-07:00">June 30th, 8:44am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Hawks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When following the devastating rash of injuries that flooded the Eastern Conference during the 2025 NBA playoffs, there were a few teams that immediately stood out as emerging contenders who could capitalize on the massive misfortune. Despite boasting an intriguing core, the Atlanta Hawks were not one of them. However, they are now forcing the public to rethink how it views the franchise’s current place in the NBA hierarchy.</p><p>Onsi Saleh is making moves in his first year as general manager, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/atlanta-hawks/why-hawks-made-right-choice-kristaps-porzingis-trade">acquiring Kristaps Porzingis</a> in a three-team trade and stunningly acquiring a 2026 first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans while also moving down to select versatile wing Asa Newell in the NBA Draft. His ambition is expected to carry over into free agency. Atlanta has its eye on <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/the-latest-freshest-and-hottest-nba?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=167147450&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">an impactful role player</a> who is commanding a good amount of interest around the league.</p><p>“The Hawks are now being more frequently projected by rival teams as the team in pole position — ahead of Detroit — to acquire Nickeil Alexander-Walker in a potential sign-and-trade deal with Minnesota,” Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report. “The Hawks can comfortably absorb Alexander-Walker into their $25.3 million traded player exception that was created a year ago when Dejounte Murray was shipped to New Orleans.”</p><h2><b>How would Nickeil-Alexander Walker fit with Hawks?</b></h2><p>The Minnesota Timberwolves are solidifying their frontcourt by re-signing both Julius Randle and Naz Reid, which means financial sacrifices will have to made elsewhere. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported over the weekend that Atlanta was <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-pistons-hawks-leaders-steal-away-timberwolves-free-agent-nickeil-alexander-walker">gaining momentum in the Alexander-Walker sweepstakes</a>, and that development is only intensifying as the free agent feeding frenzy quickly approaches.</p><p>Detroit desperately seeks a contingency plan amid <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/pistons-news-free-agency-target-malik-beasley-gambling-investigation">the Malik Beasley gambling investigation</a>, so the Hawks will have fierce competition for the 3-and-D wing’s services. That might not be an issue for Onsi Saleh, however, given the proactive mindset he is clearly operating with this summer. Although Alexander-Walker has sometimes gotten lost in the shuffle in Minnesota, he fits Atlanta’s evolving identity and addresses the team’s biggest weaknesses.</p><p>The 26-year-old Canadian, who is the cousin of 2025 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-2025-finals-mvp">NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a>, posted 9.4 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 38.1 percent from 3-point range in 25.3 minutes per contest last season. He has also proven to be a highly capable defender during the first six years of his professional career. The Hawks shot just 35.8 percent from distance in 2024-25, ranking 18th in the league, and were bottom-five in points allowed and opponents’ field goal and 3-point shooting percentage.</p><p>Theoretically, those numbers should improve if Nickeil Alexander-Walker joins the squad. Regardless of who Atlanta decides to pursue with its trade exception, this organization is clearly intent on establishing itself as a team to watch in the ever-changing Eastern landscape.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Hawks poised to beat out Pistons for coveted Timberwolves free agent

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/grading-timberwolves-naz-reid-contract');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grading Timberwolves’ $125 million Naz Reid contract');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Grading-Timberwolves-125-million-Naz-Reid-contract.jpg"></figure><h1>Grading Timberwolves’ $125 million Naz Reid contract</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T19:22:46-07:00">June 29th, 7:22pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T19:22:46-07:00">June 29th, 7:22pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Timberwolves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-next-big-contract-coming-naz-reid-125-million-deal">Minnesota Timberwolves made a major offseason move</a> by re-signing Naz Reid to a five-year, $125 million contract with a player option in the final year. This decision retains one of the NBA’s most productive bench players, who has grown from an undrafted free agent in 2019 into a mainstay of the Wolves’ rotation and a major factor in their recent playoff success.</p><p>Reid, a 6-foot-9, 264-pound forward/center, joined Minnesota undrafted out of LSU. Initially viewed as a tweener, too big for a forward, too short for a center, he reshaped his body and game, shedding 30 pounds and evolving into a dynamic stretch big.</p><p>He began his career on a two-way contract, split time with the Iowa Wolves in the G League, and by his second season, he was averaging 19 minutes per game in the NBA. Now, he’s the team’s longest-tenured player and a fan favorite, with bobblehead nights, merchandise demand, and a local culture that rallies around his name, Naz Reid.</p><h2>Production that justifies the price tag</h2><p>Reid averaged career highs across the board in 2024-25 with 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 27.5 minutes per game. He shot 46.2% from the field, 37.9% from three, and 77.6% from the line. His impact extended beyond raw stats. He posted a team-best +6.8 net rating per 100 possessions and gave the Wolves crucial flexibility, playing both backup center behind Rudy Gobert and sliding into the power forward role next to Gobert or Julius Randle.</p><p>His value as a stretch big is amplified by his defensive versatility. Though not renowned as an elite rim protector, Reid’s strength and lateral quickness allow him to switch effectively. In five of his six seasons, the Wolves have allowed fewer points per possession with him on the floor. He’s posted above-average block and steal rates for a big, and his unique combination of skills is demonstrated by elite company as in 2024-25, Reid was <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/naz-reid-agrees-to-5-year-125-million-deal-to-stay-with-timberwolves-report-005802185.html" rel="noopener">one of just seven</a> NBA players to tally 150+ threes, 150+ assists, 50+ blocks, and 50+ steals, a group that included MVPs and All-NBA talents like Kevin Durant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.</p><p>Reid won NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24 and followed it up with another stellar campaign in 2024-25. Reid was a difference-maker during the Timberwolves’ second straight trip to the West Finals, using his shooting, passing, and ball-handling to keep the offense flowing. He came off the bench and delivered when it mattered most.</p><h2>Cap ramifications and roster implications</h2><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-naz-reids-massive-contract-bobby-marks-questioning-value">Naz Reid’s new contract starts at $21.55 million in 2025-26</a>. With a player option in year five, the deal offers him future flexibility. Moreover, financially, it puts pressure on the Timberwolves’ cap sheet. If Julius Randle opts into his $30.9 million deal, Minnesota will have only $8 million below the second apron to re-sign other essential players like Nickeil Alexander-Walker. If Randle opts out and re-signs on a new deal, that cap flexibility improves slightly to $39 million. Either scenario limits the Timberwolves’ ability to improve elsewhere, especially on the wing and in the backcourt.</p><p>The Wolves have already invested heavily in long-term deals for Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert. With Reid now under contract through at least 2029 and Randle’s situation still unsettled, the front office has its hands full trying to keep the team competitive while working around luxury tax pressure and a shortage of draft picks.</p><p><b>Grade: B</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grading Timberwolves’ $125 million Naz Reid contract

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/grading-timberwolves-100-million-julius-randle-contract');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grading Timberwolves’ $100 million Julius Randle contract');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Timberwolves-star-Julius-Randle.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Grading Timberwolves’ $100 million Julius Randle contract</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T13:05:24-07:00">June 29th, 1:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T13:06:09-07:00">June 29th, 1:06pm</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Timberwolves just took care of another one of their biggest priorities for the current offseason: <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-julius-randle-100-million-contract-naz-reid-bonanza">Julius Randle’s contract</a>. Randle had previously turned down his $30.9 million player option for the upcoming season, and this new deal comes on the heels of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/timberwolves-news-naz-reid-125-million-contract-minnesota">Naz Reid’s five-year, $125 million agreement</a>.</p><p>Instead, the Timberwolves will sign him to a new three-year, $100 million deal that ties him down until the 2026-27 season and has a player option in 2027-28. The deal not only represents a marginal increase on his yearly salary, set to be around $33.3 million for the next season, it also reaffirms his stature as a central piece on Minnesota’s roster.</p><p>The new deal appears to be in the best interests of both  parties. The Timberwolves are in win-now mode and the contract keeps them just under the second apron. However, since his arrival from the New York Knicks, Randle has become the team’s secondary creator alongside Anthony Edwards.</p><p>Randle’s all-round scoring prowess and his ability to come up clutch in crucial moments and ease the playmaking burden from the likes of Ant make the deal well worth the money. Randle has also evolved into a consistent defender and was a major factor behind the Timberwolves’ success last season.</p><p>Keeping that in mind, the $100 million deal looks like a no-brainer.</p><h2><b>Julius Randle is crucial to the Timberwolves’ frontcourt</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/jULIUS-rANDLE_f32030.jpg"><figcaption>Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in his first year with the Wolves. He also posted a shooting efficiency of 48.5%, his best since the 2017-18 season. Despite suffering a groin injury that saw him miss a total of 13 games, it was his return that eventually sparked Minnesota into the sixth seed, from play-in conversation.</p><p>The team went 17-4 in the last 21 games of the regular season with Randle back, during which he averaged 18.2 points and 5.2 assists. These numbers improved to 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game in the postseason. Randle not only posted impressive individual numbers, but his playmaking and decision-making also played a major role in his team’s late redemption.</p><p>And while he was impressive all through the season, the postseason effectively exposed exactly why Minnesota is right in offering him a new contract. The Timberwolves reached their first Western Conference Finals in two decades with Randle delivering as a scoring and playmaking threat for his team.</p><p>Randle put up 23.9 points and 5.9 assists per game in the series against the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, and had an overall efficiency of 50.2% in the playoffs. Alongside Ant, he has become the Timberwolves’ next best offensive weapon, which has been aptly rewarded by the new contract.</p><p>Further, while Minnesota recognizes Randle’s value, they did not overpay, with the $33.3 million salary seemingly in just the right region for a player of his caliber. The contract keeps the Wolves below second apron territory, which suggests they have gone all in to back their core from last season.</p><p>A three-time All-Star, Randle has also improved on the defensive end and has proven to be a good fit for Chris Finch’s system. The deal therefore appears perfectly balanced. It rewards a player who has already proven his worth while keeping Minnesota in check when it comes to the second apron.</p><p>Perhaps the only downside of the contract is that it all but ensures that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-pistons-hawks-leaders-steal-away-timberwolves-free-agent-nickeil-alexander-walker">Timberwolves will not be able to keep Nickeil Alexander-Walker</a>, who has attracted interest from several teams. However, considering Julius Randle’s importance to this setup, there is little doubt that the extension is good news for not just the player and the team, but also the fans. </p><p><b>Grade: A</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grading Timberwolves’ $100 million Julius Randle contract

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/ranking-best-lebron-james-trade-destinations-rich-paul-bombshell-lakers-quotes');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotes');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/756246540-ranking-5-best-lebron-james-trade-destinations-after-rich-paul-s-eye-opening-lakers-quotes.jpg"></figure><h1>Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotes</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T11:21:27-07:00">June 29th, 11:21am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T11:21:47-07:00">June 29th, 11:21am</time><address><a>Bailey Bassett</a>Bailey Bassett is a sports writer from Denver, Colorado, covering major sports events and athlete backgrounds at ClutchPoints. He has experience covering and writing on high school, collegiate, and professional sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cleveland Cavaliers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>LeBron James has spent each of the last seven seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. When he joined the team, it was widely assumed that the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/updating-ranking-the-50-greatest-players-nba"> all-time great</a> wouldn’t have many great years left. Instead, the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/25-greatest-small-forwards-in-nba-history-ranked"> best small forward ever</a> has defied Father Time and is slated to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-longest-careers-history">play in a record 23rd NBA</a> season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-makes-52-6-million-contract-decision">James just picked up the $52.6 million player option</a> on his contract for next season, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-fans-thinking-lebron-james-trade-rich-paul-comments">Rich Paul had some interesting comments</a> when James did so.</p><p>Paul, who is James’ agent, <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939342381058281819" rel="noopener">said</a>, “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.” While that wasn’t an outright trade request from the mouth of James’ agent, it did open up the door for a trade, which hadn’t previously been thought of as a possibility by NBA fandom. Paul <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1939343388660146673" rel="noopener">continued,</a> “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”</p><p>The<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-trade-grade-luka-doncic-deal"> Lakers traded for Luka Doncic</a> ahead of last season’s trade deadline. While James is seemingly happy with his pairing alongside Doncic, who was acquired in one of the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/the-most-shocking-nba-trades-ever-ranked"> biggest fleeces ever</a>, the move put the Lakers on a timeline that is more set up for the future rather than the present. Los Angeles’ roster is solid as of now, but it might not be deep enough to win a championship, which James clearly wants to do again before retiring. Any potential James trade would likely need to include his son, Bronny James, but what destinations actually make sense if the former first overall pick truly does want to be moved? Check out the gallery to find out.</p><h2><b>5. LeBron James to the Denver Nuggets</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/756246534-lebron-james-nuggets.jpg"><figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>If James wants to win another championship,it would make sense to join the team that he has struggled against in recent years. The Denver Nuggets won the NBA Finals in 2023, and they swept James’ Lakers along the way. Denver beat the Lakers in a five-game series that included two Jamal Murray game-winners in the first round of the 2024 playoffs as well. All in all, the squad led by Nikola Jokic has won <a href="https://www.landofbasketball.com/head_to_head_gl/lakers_vs_nuggets_game_log_season.htm">15 of the last 20</a> games between the Lakers and the Nuggets.</p><p>Leaving Los Angeles for Denver could be looked at in a similar light to when Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors after the Warriors knocked Durant out of the playoffs. Durant was criticized for that decision to join the enemy, but at the end of the day, it resulted in two championships. James has been unable to beat the Nuggets, but he could potentially win with them.</p><p>The Nuggets were actually <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/source-nuggets-aggressively-pursuing-meeting-free-agent-lebron-james-075605653.html" rel="noopener">interested in</a> pursuing James dating back to 2018. Nobody knew that Jokic would become one of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/25-greatest-centers-nba-history-ranked">best centers ever</a> at that point. The big man from Serbia and the kid from Akron are two of the smartest NBA players ever, and their playmaking prowess, passing expertise, and unmatched basketball IQ would make for a fun pairing. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/orlando-magic/magic-offseason-trade-proposal-michael-porter-jr-after-postseason-struggles">Michael Porter Jr. has been rumored as a trade candidate</a> for the Nuggets this offseason because he had a rough postseason.</p><p>Porter is an excellent 3-point shooter who better fits a Doncic timeline, and he’d thrive catching passing from Doncic as he has from Jokic, so he could be used as the primary trade chip in a deal for James. James, meanwhile, could be the piece that gets Denver back into the NBA Finals. The Nuggets need depth, and having both Jokic and James on the roster could be enough to incentivize free agents to come to Denver for cheap.</p><h2><b>4. Minnesota Timberwolves add LeBron James</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/756246538-lebron-james-timberwolves.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the most aggressive teams in<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-brian-windhorst-claims-minnesota-on-verge-kevin-durant-trade"> pursuing a trade for Durant</a>. Ultimately, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/kevin-durant-trade-grades-rockets-suns-after-blockbuster-deal">Phoenix Suns took a deal from the Houston Rockets.</a> A deal for a different veteran legend might not be a bad idea for Minnesota, as James would be a pretty great consolation prize.</p><p>The Timberwolves have lost in the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons. They need a player who can get them over the hump. James has been to the conference finals 12 times, winning 10 of those appearances. He clearly knows what it takes to get to the NBA Finals, which is something the Timberwolves have never done in franchise history.</p><p>The rumored <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/kevin-durant-trade-offer-timberwolves-make-suns-seal-deal">package for Durant</a> was something along the lines of Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, either Terrence Shannon Jr. or Rob Dillingham, and a draft pick. It might cost less to acquire James, considering he is already 40 years old. If that is the case, it could make sense to pair James and Anthony Edwards. The<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-naz-reids-massive-contract-bobby-marks-questioning-value"> Timberwolves just extended Naz Reid</a> and drafted Joan Beringer in the first round <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/timberwolves-news-julius-randle-100-million-contract-naz-reid-bonanza">while also bringing back Julius Randle</a>. They seem ready to move off of Gobert, and it is clear that they coveted another star who can take some of the offensive burden off of Edwards’ shoulders. The Lakers, meanwhile, are desperate for a starting center. Therefore, a trade of James to the Timberwolves could make sense.</p><h2><b>3. Golden State Warriors pair LeBron James and Steph Curry</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/756246539-lebron-james-warriors.jpg"><figcaption>Kyle Terada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>James and Stephen Curry battled it out for years, which led to many fans fantasizing about what a pairing between the two could look like. James is the greatest physical specimen that the league has ever seen, while Curry is the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/ranking-20-best-shooters-in-nba-history-stephen-curry-ray-allen-klay-thompson">best shooter in NBA history</a>. Both are past their primes, but it would be cool to see them end their careers teaming up together rather than trying to beat one another.</p><p>James could be traded alongside his son for Jimmy Butler. Butler fit great with the Warriors after being traded for last season, but a trade for James might be too tempting to pass up, even though Butler is the younger player. James could thrive in the do-it-all wing role that Butler found success in with the Warriors.</p><p>Curry, James, and Draymond Green only have a few good years left, but together, they might have enough left in the tank for one more championship run.</p><h2><b>2. Oklahoma City Thunder trade for LeBron James</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/756246537-lebron-james-thunder.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are in a great position. Clearly, they have the talent on the roster to win now, and they don’t need to make any desperation moves. However, they also have the firepower to trade for whichever superstar they want. The Thunder have so many young assets and future draft picks that they can likely outbid any other team for any player on the trading block, and that includes James.</p><p>James would be a luxury for the Thunder and not a necessity. If he truly wants a trade to a contender, though, he could hold out for whichever team he wants, as he is one of two players with a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-does-lebron-james-have-no-trade-clause">no-trade clause on his contract</a>. James would fit well in Oklahoma City, too, as the team prioritizes excellent passers with a high feel for the game. His 3-point shot has improved over the years, too, further  enhancing what could be a great fit.</p><p>The Thunder seem unlikely to sacrifice their young core or unload tons of future draft capital for a 40-year-old. After all, they’ve built their team the right way. They’ve got picks to spare, though, so they could trade for James if they really wanted to. No team offers the all-time scoring leader a better chance to win one more ring than the Thunder would.</p><h2><b>1. LeBron James’ homecoming with Cleveland Cavaliers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/756246532-lebron-james-cavaliers.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Cleveland Cavaliers would have some serious hoops to jump through to get under the second apron and make a move for James, but a second homecoming makes too much sense for the Ohio native. James went to high school just outside of Cleveland, he was drafted by the Cavaliers, and he delivered the team a promised championship after returning from a stint with the Miami Heat.</p><p>Ending his career where it started would make for a storybook ending to a memorable career for James. The Cavaliers have a championship-caliber roster, too. They showed this with a 15-game winning streak to start the 2024-25 season, which was the second-<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/longest-undefeated-streaks-nba-history">best undefeated streak ever</a>. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen form arguably the best big four in the NBA.</p><p>One or more of the players might have to be moved to make the money work, and a deal might not make the most sense from a roster-building perspective for the Cavaliers. Even so, everybody would like to see this heartwarming story to end James’ career, and both he and the Cavaliers have proven in the past that they are happy reuniting.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotes

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-naz-reids-massive-contract-bobby-marks-questioning-value');   ga('set', 'title', 'Naz Reid’s massive Timberwolves contract has Bobby Marks questioning value of deal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Reid-vs-the-Thunder-1.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Naz Reid’s massive Timberwolves contract has Bobby Marks questioning value of deal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T10:42:51-07:00">June 29th, 10:42am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T12:30:41-07:00">June 29th, 12:30pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Timberwolves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Timberwolves recently raised eyebrows by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-naz-reid-125-million-contract-minnesota">signing backup center Naz Reid</a> to a new five year, $125 million contract that will keep him with the franchise long-term. Reid won the 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award and had another productive season in 2024-25 but ultimately flamed out, along with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-minnesotas-plan-growing-fear-free-agency">several other Timberwolves</a>, during the team’s playoff loss vs the Oklahoma City Thunder.</p><p>Recently, ESPN NBA insider Bobby Marks <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=317&amp;v=aI7V0iG2Py8&amp;feature=youtu.be" rel="noopener">had some questions</a> for the Timberwolves as it pertains to the mammoth Reid contract.</p><p>“It’s a rich contract because there is a part of you, and I know you want to reward the player,” said Marks, per NBA on ESPN on YouTube. “And he’s a really good player, but there is that part of you, and you’re thinking like, well who are you bidding against when it’s just Brooklyn on an island by themselves with cap space? And yes there could have been maybe some sign and trade that takes the cooperation of Minnesota.”</p><p>Should Reid have hit the open market, it’s likely that he would have had more suitors than just the Brooklyn Nets; however, his stock may have taken a hit with his poor performance against the Thunder in this year’s Western Conference Finals.</p><p>Still, every team in the modern NBA landscape is looking for big men who can space the floor from beyond the three-point line, and there aren’t many players better than Reid at that, who torched the Los Angeles Lakers from beyond the arc in their first round series.</p><p>The Timberwolves still have some more key decisions looming this summer, as Nickeil Alexander-Walker is set to hit free agency, where he is expected to have a number of suitors.</p><p>If he ends up leaving, the pressure will be on the Minnesota front office to either make a trade or continue to develop youngsters Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. to help fill that void off the bench.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Naz Reid’s massive Timberwolves contract has Bobby Marks questioning value of deal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-rumors-pistons-hawks-leaders-steal-away-timberwolves-free-agent-nickeil-alexander-walker');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA rumors: Pistons, Hawks the leaders to steal away Timberwolves free agent');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Timberwolves-Nickeil-Alexander-Walker.jpg"><figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA rumors: Pistons, Hawks the leaders to steal away Timberwolves free agent</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T10:40:05-07:00">June 29th, 10:40am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T12:30:34-07:00">June 29th, 12:30pm</time><address><a>Rishav Bhat</a>Rishav is a seasoned NBA and sports journalist and editor with over seven years of experience working for reputed organizations. A novelist first and foremost, he has written three fiction books. His high threshold of knowledge combined with his writing skills gives him the ability to write uniquely insightful pieces across basketball, soccer, cricket, lawn tennis, eSports, and a variety of other sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Hawks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With NBA free agency set to open on June 30, a number of teams will be looking to make improvements to their rosters. One of the most underrated assets on the market is none other than <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-rumors-hawks-clippers-nickeil-alexander-walker-free-agency-suitors">Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker</a>.</p><p>Walker has been linked to multiple teams already as he enters unrestricted free agency after the conclusion of his two-year, $9 million deal. Among them are the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons, currently <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-lots-more-of-the-latest" rel="noopener">considered to be the frontrunners</a> for his signature, per The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/siegels-scoop-latest-warriors-jonathan-kuminga-nba-free-agency-intel" rel="noopener">reported Saturday</a> the Hawks as a top suitor. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, and the San Antonio Spurs have also been linked to NAW. </p><p>The news comes after the Timberwolves recently handed a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/timberwolves-news-naz-reid-125-million-contract-minnesota">five-year, $125 million extension to Naz Reid</a>. Sunday also brought news that Julius Randle will remain in Minnesota on a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-julius-randle-100-million-contract-naz-reid-bonanza">three-year, $100 million deal</a>. </p><h2><b>Timberwolves’ financial crunch means NAW expected to leave</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Minnesota-Timberwolves-guard-Nickeil-Alexander-Walker.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>With Reid and Randle locked up on new long-term deals, bringing back Nickeil Alexander-Walker is looking more and more unlikely. Thus, Alexander-Walker continues to attract interest from teams that can offer him a better deal.</p><p>This puts the Pistons in prime position also because they earlier failed to sign Naz Reid and have flexibility to make a move. Plus, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/pistons-news-malik-beasley-under-investigation-gambling">Malik Beasley gambling investigation</a> could mean they need more help at guard. The Hawks, meanwhile, have a $25 million trade exception they could use to acquire NAW in a sign-and-trade. </p><p>A bidding war can be expected to break out for Alexander-Walker in free agency. Alexander-Walker started just 10 games in the regular season, averaging 9.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in an average of 25.3 minutes on court per game. However, he did catch the eye in the postseason, scoring 60 points in the first four games of the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Thunder, the majority of which he guarded Shai-Gilgeous Alexander.</p><p>NAW has also shot over 39% from 3-point range over the past three seasons. He is a reliable 3-and-D player who will tempt other teams to make offers in the coming days.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA rumors: Pistons, Hawks the leaders to steal away Timberwolves free agent

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-julius-randle-100-million-contract-naz-reid-bonanza');   ga('set', 'title', 'Timberwolves’ Julius Randle to sign $100 million contract after Naz Reid bonanza');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Julius-Randle-on-May-24-2025.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Timberwolves’ Julius Randle to sign $100 million contract after Naz Reid bonanza</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T10:35:02-07:00">June 29th, 10:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T11:06:43-07:00">June 29th, 11:06am</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and College Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Timberwolves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After losing in the Western Conference Finals in two consecutive seasons, the Timberwolves had some tough decisions to make this offseason. Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were all slated to be free agents, leaving Minnesota at risk of losing a large part of its core.</p><p>Now, a day before free agency officially opens, the Timberwolves have locked up two of those key pieces up long term. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/timberwolves-news-naz-reid-125-million-contract-minnesota">Reid signed a five-year, $125 million deal</a> to stay in Minnesota, Randle has now agreed to a <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1939374267789168854" rel="noopener">three-year, $100 million deal</a> with the Wolves before hitting the open market according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.</p><p>Randle has a player option before the 2027-28 season, so he has two guaranteed years in Minnesota before making a decision on the final year of this deal.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/timberwolves-news-julius-randle-promise-grieving-game-5-loss-hints-future">Timberwolves will be happy to be keeping Randle around</a> after acquiring him from the New York Knicks in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns before the 2024-25 season. While the fit between Randle and Anthony Edwards took a while to take shape, the two were both playing very good basketball in the playoffs and helped lead the Wolves to two playoff series wins.</p><p>Randle’s overall numbers were down a bit in his first year in Minnesota, but he still averaged 18.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Now that he is settled into the system in Minnesota, he should be able to be even more productive in year two with the franchise.</p><p>Retaining <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/timberwolves-news-chris-finch-julius-randle-naz-reid-minnesota-future">Reid and Randle both means that Chris Finch will have plenty of lineup versatility</a> in the front court again next season as those two play alongside Rudy Gobert. That will make it very challenging for Western Conference teams to play the Wolves up front once again.</p><p>The biggest question that comes from this Randle contract is now the status of Alexander-Walker. The Timberwolves didn’t have a ton of money to spend this offseason to start with, and now they are spending just under $60 million annually on Randle and Reid. That likely doesn’t leave enough left for Alexander-Walker, who should have a very robust market this offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Timberwolves’ Julius Randle to sign $100 million contract after Naz Reid bonanza

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-minnesotas-plan-growing-fear-free-agency');   ga('set', 'title', 'Timberwolves rumors: Minnesota’s contingency plan amid ‘growing fear’ in free agency');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Alexander-Walker-celebrates.jpg"><figcaption>Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Timberwolves rumors: Minnesota’s contingency plan amid ‘growing fear’ in free agency</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T10:19:34-07:00">June 29th, 10:19am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T12:30:52-07:00">June 29th, 12:30pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Timberwolves</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-2025-nba-draft-grades-every-pick">Minnesota Timberwolves have had</a> a busy offseason since being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves most recently raised eyebrows by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-rumors-next-big-contract-coming-naz-reid-125-million-deal">signing center backup Naz Reid</a> to a five year, $125 million contract that will keep him with the franchise long-term.</p><p>Reid wasn’t the only player on the Timberwolves’ roster preparing to hit free agency, and recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Substack reported about Minnesota’s plan should another one of their key pieces <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/more-of-the-nba-free-agency-and-trade?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=167070775&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">head for the exit</a> this summer.</p><p>“Word is Minnesota is likewise expected to explore its free agency/trade options to upgrade in the backcourt amid a growing fear that Nickeil Alexander-Walker could well be departing via free agency,” reported Fischer.</p><p>Alexander-Walker is sure to have plenty of suitors in the open market this year. He was one of the more consistent performers in the Timberwolves’ loss to the Thunder in this year’s playoffs, and fits the valuable three and D archetype that every team is looking for.</p><h2><b>An interesting decision for the Timberwolves</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Minnesota-Timberwolves-guard-Nickeil-Alexander-Walker.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Timberwolves do have two rising sophomores from last year’s draft class who figure to take a step up and provide some help in the backcourt in the event that Alexander-Walker departs.</p><p>Rob Dillingham is a speedy scoring threat who can put the ball in the basket and initiate offense for his teammates; however, he’ll need to improve on the defensive end of the floor in order to generate consistent minutes under head coach Chris Finch.</p><p>Meanwhile, fellow 2024 draftee Terrence Shannon Jr. didn’t see a ton of playing time throughout the season but stepped up during the series vs the Thunder, putting together several impressive scoring stretches during that matchup.</p><p>Still, should Alexander-Walker depart in free agency, the Timberwolves would behoove themselves to look beyond their own locker room for help in the backcourt, especially as Mike Conley’s level of play continues to dip with age.</p><p>NBA free agency is officially slated to begin on Monday evening.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Timberwolves rumors: Minnesota’s contingency plan amid ‘growing fear’ in free agency

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-2025-nba-draft-grades-every-pick');   ga('set', 'title', 'Minnesota Timberwolves 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Timberwolves-draft-pick-Joan-Beringer.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Minnesota Timberwolves 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-29T09:11:50-07:00">June 29th, 9:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-29T09:13:00-07:00">June 29th, 9:13am</time><address><a>Rohan Brahmbhatt</a>Rohan Brahmbhatt is an adventure-driven sports writer, passionate footballer, mountaineer, and photojournalist. Rohan blends firsthand experience with storytelling—capturing the intensity of sport and the thrill of exploration. Whether on the field, a mountain trail, or behind the lens, he brings authentic, high-energy narratives that connect readers to the heart of the action.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Timberwolves restocked on centers in the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting 18-year-old French center Joan Beringer at No. 17 and Rocco Zikarsky at No. 45. With Rudy Gobert aging, the Timberwolves seem to be preparing for a future without him with these draft picks, a reasonable strategy.</p><p>Minnesota crashed out of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing the series 4-1 amid a rough defensive display. Therefore, the front office decided to fill the gaps with young and dominating centers in the paint, showcasing a more forward-thinking approach from the management. After taking Beringer at No. 17, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/timberwolves-news-alex-rodriguez-first-nba-draft-reflection">the Timberwolves originally held the 31st pick,</a> which was traded to the Phoenix Suns for the 36th selection and future assets. Minnesota then flipped No. 36 to the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-draft-sec-star-adou-thiero-trade-timberwolves">Los Angeles Lakers for No. 45 and cash considerations</a>, ultimately securing Zikarsky, an Australian center with raw upside.</p><p>The Timberwolves went to the 2025 NBA Draft searching for muscle and grit to increase the defensive stability of the current roster. As a result, they acquired two young low-usage centers in the draft to limit their reliance on Gobert and Naz Reid, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/timberwolves-news-naz-reid-125-million-contract-minnesota">who just got a new $125 million contract</a>. It remains to be seen if Julius Randle will be back as well, but in case he isn’t or if he gets traded in the near future, these picks will provide more depth in the frontcourt.</p><h2><b>Why Joan Beringer was right pick for Timberwolves at No. 17</b></h2><p>Joan Beringer, the 18-year-old French center, is a prototype of the modern NBA big: mobile, lengthy, and equipped with advanced instincts for shot-blocking and rim protection. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Beringer excels in vertical contests, drop coverage, and defensive rotations. His lateral movement is above average for a player his size, allowing him to hedge on pick-and-rolls and recover quickly, skills the Timberwolves desperately lacked during their playoff collapse. Surprisingly, he did not touch basketball until 2021 and only started playing because he was <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/2025/6/25/24454292/nba-draft-2025-minnesota-timberwolves-17th-pick-joan-beringer-name-anthony-edwards-julius-randle" rel="noopener">not able to find soccer cleats of his size</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Joan Beringer continues to draw a significant audience of NBA decision-makers to Ljubljana. The 18-year-old had one of his most impactful games of the season last week, a dominant defensive display in the EuroCup playoffs versus Besiktas. <a href="https://t.co/vLHYY2IPYf">pic.twitter.com/vLHYY2IPYf</a></p><p>— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1900566339515043842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>From a strategic standpoint, Beringer fits seamlessly into Minnesota’s defensive scheme. The Timberwolves picked him up right after Thomas Sorber and Yang Hansen went off the board. For the long term, he also serves as a potential successor to Gobert, whose age (33) and massive contract have created uncertainty around his future in Minnesota.</p><p>Offensively, Beringer is a work in progress. He’s not a volume scorer, but he understands spacing, can finish lobs, and has shown flashes of a soft mid-range touch in international play. His high basketball IQ and willingness to play within a system make him a low-maintenance asset, perfect for a team already built around the star power of Anthony Edwards.</p><p><b>Grade B+</b></p><h2><b>Rocco Zikarsky has towering potential with G League flexibility</b></h2><p>If Beringer is the refined international prospect, Rocco Zikarsky is the long-term developmental swing. Standing at an imposing 7-foot-3, the Australian center boasts elite size and raw athleticism that make him one of the most intriguing second-round picks of the draft. The Timberwolves acquired him after trading down from No. 31, eventually selecting him at No. 45—a move that speaks volumes about their trust in player development.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Minnesota Timberwolves have selected Brisbane Bullets center Rocco Zikarsky with the No. 45 pick.</p><p>The Australian has tremendous size at 7-foot-4 with a 9’7 standing reach, giving him significant potential defensively. Only 18-years old. <a href="https://t.co/yWLkTtmvVf">pic.twitter.com/yWLkTtmvVf</a></p><p>— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1938410030744932858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Zikarsky’s fit in Minnesota revolves around his physical traits and growth potential. In a league that continues to value size, rim protection, and vertical spacing, Zikarsky checks multiple boxes. He’s already a disruptive shot blocker and lob target, and while his skill set remains rudimentary, the Timberwolves can afford to be patient. With the presence of Gobert, Reid, and now Beringer, there’s no immediate pressure for Zikarsky to contribute at the NBA level.</p><p><b>Grade B-</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Minnesota
Timberwolves NEWS

Timberwolves News: Get the latest Minnesota Timberwolves news, scores, stats, standings, fantasy games, and more from ClutchPoints.

Latest Timberwolves News

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MinnesotaTimberwolves NEWS

Timberwolves News: Get the latest Minnesota Timberwolves news, scores, stats, standings, fantasy games, and more from ClutchPoints.

Latest Timberwolves News

Celtics replace Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet with former Timberwolves center Luka Garza

Nickeil Alexander-Walker gets $62 million from Hawks in Timberwolves sign-and-trade

Insider makes Timberwolves’ Julius Randle trade declaration after $100 million contract

NBA rumors: Hawks poised to beat out Pistons for coveted Timberwolves free agent

Grading Timberwolves’ $125 million Naz Reid contract

Grading Timberwolves’ $100 million Julius Randle contract

Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotes

• Naz Reid’s massive Timberwolves contract has Bobby Marks questioning value of deal

• NBA rumors: Pistons, Hawks the leaders to steal away Timberwolves free agent

• Timberwolves’ Julius Randle to sign $100 million contract after Naz Reid bonanza

• Timberwolves rumors: Minnesota’s contingency plan amid ‘growing fear’ in free agency

• Minnesota Timberwolves 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick

Minnesota
Timberwolves NEWS