Monday Headlines: NBA Free Agency Begins

What big deals will happen involving former Wildcats?

NBA Free Agency is set to begin tonight at 6 PM ET, but as usual, there have already been several deals reported ahead of the official start time.

One of those deals that has reportedly been completed is the re-signing of former Kentucky Wildcats star Julius Randle with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He reportedly agreed to a three-year, $100 million contract with a player option in the third year of the deal.

In his first season with Minnesota after being acquired from the New York Knicks in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, Randle saw his per-game scoring take a dip from 24 points per game to 18.7 points per game. However, he was more efficient by increasing his overall field goal percentage as well as his shooting percentages from the free throw and 3-point lines.

Randle had quite the playoff run, too, averaging 21.7 points per game on better than 50% shooting from the floor (better than 38% from 3 and 88% on free throws) with nearly six rebounds and five assists per game.

For the second consecutive year, the Timberwolves came up just short of the NBA Finals and will look to run things back with their trio of Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Randle. They will also look to somehow retain Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

In other news, the Phoenix Suns (who just drafted Koby Brea) picked up the $5 million salary for Nick Richards to make that number fully guaranteed. However, they just drafted Duke center Khaman Maluach and acquired former Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in a trade last week, so it’s yet to be determined if Richards will be on their roster or sent in part of a trade package sometime during the off-season.

Of the top-40 NBA free agents, there are no former Wildcats listed. However, that does not mean a former UK player or two could be moved in sign-and-trade deals that develop as the NBA free agency frenzy begins later tonight.

Tweet of the Day

Almost 20 minutes for Johnson in Sunday’s win.

Headlines

Pope Knows Quaintance Will Be A Difference Maker – Vaught’s Views

Should be a heck of an anchor on defense.

Bailey expresses enthusiasm for being with Jazz in Utah intro – ESPN

Finally a good PR move.

Phoenix is Glad to Have NBA 3-Point Shooter Koby Brea – Vaught’s Views

Booker-Brea backcourt?

James Harden to sign 2-year, $81.5M deal with Clippers – ESPN

The Beard stays in LA.

Transfers Love the Talent and Depth UK Volleyball Has – Vaught’s Views

Coach Skinner has quite the team.

Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. to sign $122M extension – ESPN

Former Auburn Tiger gets paid.

A star-studded all-Kentucky lineup is possible in 2026-27 – KSR

Would love to see this.

Tour rookie Aldrich Potgieter, 20, wins Rocket Classic title – ESPN

Pretty stellar finish.