While the Kevin Durant saga continues and the Minnesota Timberwolves decide whether to put their eggs in the KD trade circle, they also have to ensure that Julius Randle and Naz Reid are secured and return to the team as part of the 2025-26 Timberwolves roster, or as part of a trade package for Durant.

Both Randle and Reid have player options for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Randle, if he opts back into his deal, will receive $30.9 million for the upcoming season, and Reid has $15 million. Scheduled to be unrestricted free agents for the 2026-27 season, they could also decline the player options, become free agents, sign with another team, or seek extensions with Minnesota.

Jon Krawczynski, from The Athletic, reported that Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, when asked by Paul Allen on KFAN FM 100.3 if he expects both Randle and Reid on the team next season, replied, “Absolutely, yes.”

Randle, who arrived last season in the blockbuster trade from New York to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns, played in 69 games for Minnesota and started in 69 games, and played in all 15 playoff games, helping the Timberwolves reach the Western Conference finals for the second straight season.

During the Regular season, he averaged 18.7 points per game, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. In the playoffs, he averaged 21.7 points in 15 games — however, in the conference finals, he had two games with only five points and six points, in the 4-1 series loss.

While Randle’s struggles in the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City were alarming, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, said back on June 7 that he hopes to bring Randle back but also did not rule out the potential for another big trade if one presents itself and can get the Timberwolves closer to a championship.

“Fingers crossed, our ability to be a little more flexible could serve us well this season,” He said.

The acquisition of Durant by the Timberwolves might be that one player that pushes Minnesota to the next level. And if Durant warms up to the idea of joining the Timberwolves, the return for Phoenix in potentially acquiring Randle with Rudy Gobert could be the best of Durant’s preferred destinations, which includes the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat or San Antonio Spurs.

Durant, 37, has listed his preferred destinations, but Phoenix has stated that they are prioritizing a trade package that provides the best value, and it could be Minnesota.

“The Timberwolves do not want to make a seismic change to a roster that advanced to the Western Conference finals if Durant is not on board with the move,” Sam Amick and Krawczynski of The Athletic said.

Reid, who went undrafted in 2019, earned his way onto the roster, and following his coming out season in 2020-21, when he played in 70 games and averaged 11.5 points a game, Minnesota rewarded him with a contract extension on June 25, 2023, with a three-year $42 million contract.

He followed that up with a Sixth Man of the Year Award last season and developed into a vital piece of the Timberwolves’ rising success.

Reid could be another piece in a potential franchise-altering trade for Durant, but it all comes down to whether Minnesota puts the trigger on a player who has openly said he has no interest in playing for.

Phoenix, which still has Devin Booker and Bradley Beal to contend with, is still looking to prioritize a competitive roster for new head coach Jordan Ott.

“With the offers from the Spurs, Rockets and Heat coming up short to his points, league sources say the Suns are still hopeful that Durant might warm up to he Timberwolves possibly,” Amick and Krawczynski said.

Timberwolves young star Anthony Edwards has said on several occasions that Durant has been his favorite player growing up and has idolized the future Hall of Famer.

Only time will tell where Durant ends up, but it could very well be sooner, rather than later.

Durant, on the last year of his deal, is scheduled to make $54.7 million this upcoming season and is eligible for a two-year extension worth up to $122 million if signed on July 6 after being traded. If he waits six more months for an extension, he could make up to $124 million.