LeBron James Opts into Player Option; Naz Reid, Julius Randle Re-Sign with Timberwolves; Bulls Trade Ball to Cavaliers for Okoro

A few notable moves in the 2025 NBA offseason happened over the last couple days. On Saturday, it was reported first by ESPN’s Shams Charania that forward Naz Reid will re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Also on Saturday, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded forward Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for guard Lonzo Ball. On Sunday, Charania was the first to report that LeBron James will opt into his $52.6 million for the upcoming season. On Sunday afternoon, Charania reported that Julius Randle will re-sign with the Timberwolves at three years, $100 million.

Reid’s deal, five years at $125 million, is a bargain for the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year. Reid is your prototypical stretch four who shoots from the outside. He averaged 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds on 46.2% shooting from the field and 37.9% from downtown. He turns 26 years old in August. The Timberwolves won 49 games in 2024-25, and as the sixth seed lost in the Western Conference Finals in five games to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In twenty-five minutes per game in the playoffs, Reid averaged 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds on 50.9% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a key free agent for the Timberwolves who will command good money. The 26-year-old guard is a hounding defensive guard who can also shoot from distance. Randle’s return means that the Timberwolves’ core of Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Randle, and Reid will remain intact. Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 48.5% shooting in 2025-26. His resigning likely means the end of Alexander-Walker in the Twin Cities. 

Okoro, a defensive-minded forward who averaged 6.1 points on 46.4% shooting for the Cavaliers in 2024-25, played fifty-five games and started twenty-two. In acquiring him, the Bulls strengthen their wing defense, while in trading Ball they clear a crowded guard rotation as Ball, who averaged 7.6 points per game in thirty-five games, started just fourteen games as the Bulls are building with Coby White and Josh Giddey. 

In Ball, the Cavs are getting much needed defense at the guard spot if the 27-year-old can stay healthy. The move likely means that bench spark-plug Ty Jerome will go elsewhere. 

Charania was the first to report on Sunday morning that James will opt into his $52.6 million for 2025-26. James' averages in 2024-25 were 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds on 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point range. James started all seventy games that he played in and averaged thirty-five minutes per game. The Lakers, who traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic in February, clearly see Doncic as the centerpiece going forward but will run it back with James and Doncic for at least one more season. The Lakers finished third in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record but lost in five games in the first round to the Timberwolves. Charania also reported that defensive wing Dorian Finney-Smith, who had a player option of $15.4 million for next season, will decline his option and enter free agency. Jaxson Hayes is a free agent, and it remains to be seen whether he will return. 

The Lakers are in a tricky spot given that James has (and rightfully so) a big contract for next season. They will need to re-tool through trades if they want to improve and seriously compete in 2025-26.