Key Points
- The Timberwolves traded Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal on the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft
- The Chicago Bulls received Nic Claxton from Brooklyn; Minnesota received the No. 33 pick and forward Mo Gueye
- Minnesota created a $33.3 million trade exception and unlocked the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and $5.5 million biannual exception
- The Wolves immediately used the flexibility to sign Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract
The Timberwolves moved Julius Randle on draft eve — not for a player, but for financial oxygen. Minnesota sent the three-time All-Star and the No. 28 pick to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal that routes Nic Claxton from Brooklyn to Chicago. In return, the Wolves received the No. 33 pick and forward Mo Gueye from the Bulls, who is expected to be waived.
The Trade
Brooklyn Nets receive: Julius Randle, 2026 first-round pick (No. 28)
Chicago Bulls receive: Nic Claxton
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: 2026 second-round pick (No. 33), Mo Gueye
Randle's $33.3 million salary lands on Brooklyn's books. Claxton's $23.3 million goes to Chicago. The deal cannot be formally completed until July 6 because the Bulls are using cap space for the acquisition.
Minnesota's Play
This was a salary dump executed for a specific purpose. By moving Randle's $33.3 million without taking salary back, the Wolves created a trade exception of equal value and unlocked the $15.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and the $5.5 million biannual exception — tools that were unavailable to them as a tax team.
They used the space immediately. Minnesota signed Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract with a player option in the fifth year. Dosunmu, 26, averaged 19.2 points on 50% shooting (42.5% from three), 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists during the postseason — the kind of two-way guard production that fits next to Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert.
That's the math: trade Randle's expiring contract to sign a younger, cheaper player on a long-term deal that better fits Minnesota's core. Randle has a $35.8 million player option for 2027-28, meaning Brooklyn is taking on potential long-term money, but the Nets have cap space to absorb it and a rebuild that benefits from veteran scoring.
What Brooklyn and Chicago Get
For the Nets, Randle is a proven 20-point scorer who can operate as a primary option while the front office continues accumulating assets. The No. 28 pick adds to a draft war chest that already includes multiple future firsts from the Mikal Bridges and other recent trades. Brooklyn has positioned itself as the league's most active broker — acquiring salary and picks while other teams chase win-now upgrades.
For Chicago, Claxton fills the center void at $23.3 million. The 27-year-old averaged 11.8 points and 8.6 rebounds last season and brings rim protection to a Bulls roster that holds the No. 4 pick in Tuesday's draft. Pairing Claxton with a top-five prospect gives Chicago a foundational frontcourt piece without sacrificing its most valuable asset.
Source: ESPN, NBA.com, Sports Illustrated
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