The Minnesota Timberwolves have finalized a three-team trade sending forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets. The agreement, which reshapes the roster construction for all three franchises, also sees center Nic Claxton heading to the Chicago Bulls.
The move is a strategic salary-clearing effort for Minnesota, which seeks to escape punitive roster-building restrictions associated with the league’s first tax apron. By offloading the remainder of Randle’s contract, the Timberwolves project to clear approximately $50 million in financial commitments, creating flexibility to retain key free agents like Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland after a disappointing playoff exit, as detailed in a detailed report by Sports Illustrated.
The Brooklyn Nets receive the No. 28 pick to utilize in tonight’s draft, pairing it with their existing No. 6 selection. Brooklyn also absorbs Randle’s contract, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, as the team looks to pivot away from a long-term rebuild phase.
The Chicago Bulls fill a critical interior void by acquiring Claxton, who remains under contract for two more years. Because the Bulls are using existing salary cap space to absorb the center’s deal rather than matching outgoing player salaries, the transaction is subject to the league’s moratorium period. Per official NBA regulations, the trade cannot be legally processed by the league office until July 6.
What We Know
- The Minnesota Timberwolves generated a $33.3 million traded player exception in the deal.
- Brooklyn gains additional draft capital with the No. 28 selection to add to their No. 6 pick.
- Chicago successfully landed a starting-caliber center to stabilize their frontcourt rotation.
- The transaction is frozen until the official July 6 end of the league’s moratorium period.