Timberwolves Trade Julius Randle To Nets In Three-team Deal

The Minnesota Timberwolves are reshaping their payroll, sending Julius Randle and a future first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets, with Nic Claxton routed to the Chicago Bulls. The move creates major salary flexibility for Minnesota while adjusting the roster balance for both Brooklyn and Chicago before the NBA Draft.

Minnesota’s front office treats the Randle departure as a cost-cutting step in a key offseason. The deal generates a $33 million trade exception, giving extra room as the NBA’s transaction cycle begins. That flexibility is expected to support efforts to keep guard Ayo Dosunmu, acquired from the Bulls at the trade deadline.

Brooklyn emerges with another experienced forward option after the NBA trade, adding Randle to a frontcourt already featuring Michael Porter Jr. The Nets also control the No. 6 overall pick on Tuesday, putting the team in position to combine veteran scoring with young backcourt talent around those forwards.

The Bulls gain defensive size from this NBA trade, taking on centre Nic Claxton and his $23.3 million cap hit. That reduces Chicago’s salary cap space ahead of the free agency negotiating period. However, the Bulls expect Claxton to protect the rim and act as a lob target beside Josh Giddey, while also holding the No. 4 pick on Tuesday.

The draft compensation in this NBA trade involves a small slide down the order for Minnesota. The Timberwolves send the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to Brooklyn and receive the No. 33 selection. The first round is scheduled for Tuesday, with the second round on Wednesday.

Randle, a three-time All-Star, arrives in Brooklyn after earlier success with the New York Knicks. Randle posted 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. The forward had joined Minnesota in the major Karl-Anthony Towns trade with New York, and now moves again as roster priorities shift.

Claxton strengthens Chicago’s interior, after averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots last season. For Minnesota, losing Randle but clearing salary space highlights a plan built around flexibility and retaining Dosunmu. The Nets, meanwhile, lean on veteran forwards and a high draft pick as they search for the next competitive core.