Nets Set to Land Julius Randle in Three-Team Trade With Wolves and Bulls

The Brooklyn Nets are set to acquire Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade that also sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, according to ESPN. Minnesota would move the No. 28 pick to Brooklyn and receive the Nets’ No. 33 pick as part of the deal.

Chicago’s role in the transaction includes sending Mo Gueye to Minnesota, while Claxton’s salary moves onto the Bulls’ books. ESPN also notes that the deal cannot be completed until July 6 because Chicago is using cap space to take in Claxton.

For the Timberwolves, the bigger picture appears to be financial flexibility. ESPN reports that Minnesota plans to sign Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract with a player option in the final season, while also creating additional roster-building tools through exceptions and a trade exception.

Randle gives Brooklyn a high-usage frontcourt scorer after a regular season in which he averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists while playing 79 games. Claxton, meanwhile, leaves Brooklyn after spending his entire NBA career there and joins a Bulls team leaning into a younger core.