Three-time All-Star power forward traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a transaction involving the Chicago Bulls one day before the draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading three-time All-Star power forward Julius Randle and a first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that includes Tiago Splitter’s Chicago Bulls.
In the deal, Minnesota sends the 28th pick in the 2026 Draft to Brooklyn, while the Nets send the 33rd pick in the same draft to the Timberwolves. The Bulls were brought into the trade, with Chicago receiving center Nic Claxton. The Wolves will also acquire Mo Gueye from the Bulls, though they are expected to waive him.
- Nets receive: Julius Randle (via Wolves), Pick 28 in the 2026 Draft
- Wolves receive: Mo Gueye (via Bulls), Pick 33 in the 2026 Draft
- Bulls receive: Nic Claxton (via Nets)
The trade significantly helps the Timberwolves free up crucial salary cap space. The Wolves needed the financial flexibility and have already agreed to an extension with guard Ayo Dosunmu, a key player for the team last season. The new contract is worth $112 million over five years.
Randle, 31, is a three-time All-Star who averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists last season. Across 12 NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, and Minnesota, he holds career averages of 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
Claxton, 27, leaves the Nets after seven seasons with the franchise. The center averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 69 games last season, starting in 68 of them. He is under contract for $23.3 million in 2026, 27 and $21.1 million in 2027, 28.
