Randle To Nets, Claxton To Bulls In Three-Team Deal

Key Points:

• The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading Julius Randle and the 28th overall pick in the 2026 draft to the Brooklyn Nets for the 33rd pick in a three-team deal involving the Chicago Bulls.
• The Bulls will receive Nic Claxton from the Nets using cap room, but the trade cannot be finalized until the July 6 moratorium period ends; Chicago will also trade Mouhamadou Gueye to Minnesota, with the Bulls needing to exercise a minimum-salary option on Gueye.
• This trade serves as a salary dump for Minnesota, creating a $33.3 million traded player exception, the largest in the NBA, and giving the Timberwolves financial flexibility to re-sign free agent Ayo Dosunmu.
• Julius Randle, a three-time All-Star averaging 21.1 points last season, will join the rebuilding Nets with a $33.3 million salary for next season and a $35.8 million player option for 2027/28.
• The Bulls effectively acquire a new starting center in Claxton without sacrificing much cap space, retaining approximately $33 million in cap room after the trade; Claxton averaged 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds last season with Brooklyn.