Timberwolves Trade Julius Randle to Nets in Three-Team Deal Involving Bulls

The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to trade three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team deal, sources confirmed to multiple outlets on Monday night. The trade also involves the Chicago Bulls, who will acquire Nets center Nic Claxton. The Timberwolves will receive the No. 33 pick in the draft from Brooklyn.

The deal comes nearly a year after Randle signed a three-year, $100 million contract to remain with Minnesota. During his two seasons with the Timberwolves, he averaged approximately 20 points per game, but struggled in the 2026 playoffs, shooting just 39% from the field and 24% from three-point range over 12 postseason contests. Randle will now return to New York, where he previously played five seasons with the Knicks before being traded to Minnesota in the Karl-Anthony Towns deal in October 2024.

For the Timberwolves, the trade significantly frees up salary cap space by removing the remaining two years of Randle's contract. The move creates a $33 million trade exception and provides the team with flexibility to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu, who is expected to agree to a five-year deal worth up to $112 million, according to ESPN. Minnesota can also use the extra room to target additional players in free agency.

Claxton, who has spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Nets, averaged 11.7 points this past season. He is expected to join the Bulls as part of the deal. The trade is pending approval from the league office and is not yet official. The NBA Draft begins Tuesday with the first round, and the second round follows on Wednesday night.