Timberwolves Clear Cap Space in Three-Team Trade Sending Randle to Nets, Claxton to Bulls
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The Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls have agreed to a three-team deal that will move forward Julius Randle and center Nic Claxton, according to multiple reports.
Key terms of the agreement
• To Brooklyn: Forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
• To Minnesota: The No. 33 pick in the 2026 draft.
• To Chicago: Center Nic Claxton, absorbed with cap space.
The trade cannot become official until the NBA’s offseason moratorium ends on July 6 because Chicago is using salary-cap room to acquire Claxton.
Impact on each team
Timberwolves – By sending out Randle and taking back no salary, Minnesota will create a $33.3 million traded-player exception, the league’s largest. The move places the club about $50 million below the first tax apron, opening the door to re-sign free-agent guard Ayo Dosunmu and giving the Wolves access to the projected $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and the $5.5 million bi-annual exception for 2026-27.
Nets – Brooklyn climbs five spots in the draft and adds a three-time All-Star in Randle, 31, who averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals over 79 games last season. He is owed $33.3 million in 2026-27 with a $35.8 million player option for 2027-28. The Nets are expected to use cap space to finalize the deal and should still have roughly $20.2 million available afterward.
Bulls – Chicago picks up Claxton, 27, without sending out a player. The 6-11 center posted 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 blocks while shooting 57.1 percent from the field in 69 appearances last season. His contract carries a $23.1 million cap hit next year and $20.9 million in 2027-28, leaving the Bulls with about $33 million in remaining cap room. Chicago is expected to send minor consideration—cash or a heavily protected second-round pick—to Minnesota to satisfy trade rules.
The agreement gives Minnesota significant financial flexibility, bolsters Brooklyn’s frontcourt and draft position, and provides Chicago with a new starting center without major cost.
Source: Hoops Rumors
