The Brooklyn Nets have made their biggest move of the offseason. In a blockbuster three-team trade, Brooklyn lands three-time All-Star Julius Randle and a first-round pick while parting ways with longtime center Nic Claxton.
The Brooklyn Nets have made one of their first major moves of the offseason, acquiring Julius Randle and the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as part of a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Brooklyn will send Nic Claxton to Chicago, while Minnesota receives the Nets' No. 33 overall pick. The Bulls will also send Mouhamadou Gueye to the Timberwolves to satisfy league requirements that all three teams be involved in the transaction.
Because Chicago is using cap space to absorb Claxton's contract, the trade cannot be officially completed until the NBA's moratorium period ends on July 6.
The Nets entered the offseason with more cap space than any team in the league, and they have wasted little time putting some of it to use. Instead of waiting for free agency, Brooklyn used a portion of its available room to acquire a three-time All-Star and move up five spots in the draft. The Nets now own both the No. 6 and No. 28 picks in Wednesday's draft while still maintaining financial flexibility for additional moves.
Randle arrives in Brooklyn after another productive season in Minnesota. The veteran forward averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 48.1% from the field across 79 games. Although his playoff numbers dipped during the Timberwolves' postseason run, Randle remains one of the league's most accomplished forwards, earning three All-Star selections and two All-NBA honors during his career.
The 31-year-old is set to make $33.3 million next season and holds a $35.8 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. Even after taking on Randle's salary, Brooklyn is projected to have roughly $20 million in cap space remaining this summer.
Minnesota's reasoning for making the deal is straightforward: flexibility. By moving Randle's contract without taking back salary, the Timberwolves create a $33.3 million traded player exception, which is expected to be the largest in the NBA. The move also drops Minnesota well below the first tax apron and opens up additional roster-building tools heading into free agency.
The financial relief could help the Timberwolves retain free-agent guard Ayo Dosunmu while also giving them access to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception and bi-annual exception. In addition, Minnesota moves back just five spots in the draft, exchanging the No. 28 pick for No. 33.
Chicago, meanwhile, fills a major need in the middle by acquiring Claxton. The 27-year-old spent the first seven seasons of his career in Brooklyn after being selected with the 31st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and developed into one of the league's better defensive centers.
Claxton appeared in 69 games last season, averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 57.1% from the field. The Bulls are expected to absorb his $23.1 million salary into cap space and should still have approximately $33 million available for additional offseason moves.
For Brooklyn, the trade is about more than adding a recognizable name. The Nets turn cap space into both a proven veteran and a first-round pick, improving their draft position while adding an established frontcourt presence. Brooklyn entered the offseason with the NBA's most cap space and a collection of draft assets. It now has a three-time All-Star, a second first-round pick, and enough flexibility remaining to continue reshaping the roster in the weeks ahead.
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