Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks to pass against Cam Thomas #24 and Nic Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.

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Timberwolves Trade Julius Randle To Nets In Deal That Sends Nic Claxton To Bulls

Ashish MathurJune 22, 2026 9:24 PMJune 22, 2026 10:02 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Timberwolves, Nets, Bulls Strike Three-Team Deal

The Core Roster Swap: The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading forward Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a multi-team deal that subsequently lands big man Nic Claxton with the Chicago Bulls.
Minnesota’s Massive Financial Relief: By moving Randle’s $33.3 million salary, the Timberwolves cleared $36 million in total payroll, generated a massive $33 million trade exception and positioned themselves $50 million below the first apron to weaponize their flexibility for a future blockbuster move.
Chicago Fills a Position of Need: The Bulls successfully addressed their glaring roster hole in the frontcourt, securing a defensive-minded starting center in Claxton—who is set to earn $23.3 million next season—facilitated entirely by Brooklyn’s involvement.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, according to Shams Charania of ESPN.

Draft picks are involved as well.

Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28. pic.twitter.com/TvADMMNDlg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

Randle will make $33.3 million next season, while Claxton will make $23.3 million.

For the Timberwolves this past season, Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 48.1% from the field, 31.5% from beyond the arc and 80.2% from the free-throw line. He recorded 15 double-doubles and three triple-doubles.

In the 2026 playoffs against the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs, Randle put up 16.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. The All-Star shot only 39.0% overall and 24.4% from 3. Minnesota beat Denver in the first round in six games but lost to San Antonio in the second round in six games.

With this trade, the Timberwolves have cleared $36 million of their payroll. They now have a $33 million trade exception and are $50 million below the first apron. They could make a blockbuster trade this offseason.

Claxton, who will play for a new NBA team for the first time, averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game for the Nets this past season. He shot 57.1% from the field and 61.6% from the free-throw line and put up 11 double-doubles and two triple-doubles.

Randle has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and Timberwolves. He enters next season with career averages of 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. The 31-year-old has made three All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams. He also won the 2020-21 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with the Knicks.

Claxton, 27, holds career averages of 10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. The Bulls needed a center and they got one thanks to Brooklyn.