A three-team trade has been completed! The Timberwolves send Julius Randle to the Nets, while the Bulls acquire Nic Claxton.

According to ESPN sources on June 23, a three-team trade has been finalized. The Minnesota Timberwolves are sending Julius Randle along with the No. 28 pick in the upcoming NBA draft to the Brooklyn Nets, while Nic Claxton is being traded to the Chicago Bulls. In exchange, Minnesota gets the Nets' No. 33 pick. Salary cap expert Marks notes the deal won't be official until July 6 because Chicago needs to clear cap space to sign Claxton.

Insider Shams reports that by moving Randle's two-year remaining contract, the Timberwolves free up significant salary cap flexibility. This allows them to retain Ayo Dosunmu and utilize various cap exceptions. According to salary expert Marks, this transaction not only brings Minnesota $43.8 million below the luxury tax line but also grants them access to a full $15 million mid-level exception, a $5.5 million bi-annual exception, and a $33 million traded player exception.

The Nets use their available cap space to bring in Randle while also securing a first-round draft pick.

The Bulls allocate part of their cap space to acquire the athletic, rim-protecting center they desperately need. After completing this deal, the team still has $30 million in cap room remaining.

Born November 29, 1994, Julius Randle stands 6'9" (2.06m) and weighs 250 lbs (113kg). A power forward/inside scoring hub, he was selected 7th overall in the 2014 draft out of Kentucky. His 12-year NBA career includes stops with the Lakers, Pelicans, Knicks, and Timberwolves, and he has been named an All-Star three times.

In his regular-season career, Randle averages 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 33.2% from three. Last season with Minnesota, he posted 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5 assists in the regular season, and 18.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in the playoffs, serving as the team's second option. A versatile offensive player, he combines low-post scoring, pull-up shooting, and playmaking, capable of handling a heavy usage load. At 31, he remains in his prime with a contract over $33 million. His weaknesses include below-average defensive physicality, occasionally aggressive shot selection in clutch moments, and inconsistent playoff performances.

Born April 17, 1999, Nic Claxton stands 6'11" (2.11m) and weighs 216 lbs (98kg). A pure rim-protecting center, he was selected 31st overall in the 2019 draft by the Nets and had only played for Brooklyn prior to this trade. His father is a former NBA player.

In his regular-season career, Claxton averages 10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, shooting 62.2% from the field. During the 2025-26 season, he put up 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 57.1% shooting. Light on his feet with excellent lateral quickness, he is an elite switchable big man, providing strong rim protection and disruptive help defense. He finishes efficiently on pick-and-roll rolls and can make short-range passing reads. However, his glaring weakness is a near-total lack of three-point shooting (career below 20%), and his free-throw percentage sits at just 61.6%, making him a frequent target for Hack-a-Shaq tactics. His offensive game is limited, and he cannot create his own scoring opportunities.