Wolves Add LaMelo Ball; Randle Heads to Nets in Four-Team Transaction
wolves-hornets-nets-bulls-complete-four-team-trade
The Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls have formally completed a four-team trade that moves All-Star guard LaMelo Ball to Minnesota and sends forward Julius Randle to Brooklyn, the clubs confirmed in synchronized press releases.
Main pieces
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green, and the draft rights to No. 33 pick Isaiah Evans (from Brooklyn).
Charlotte Hornets receive: Naz Reid, Mouhamadou Gueye, the draft rights to 2022 No. 50 pick Matteo Spagnolo (from Minnesota), Minnesota’s 2033 first-round pick, second-round selections in 2029, 2032 and 2033, the right to swap 2028 first-rounders with Minnesota, the right to swap 2029 first-rounders with 6-30 protection, and a 2030 first-round swap.
Brooklyn Nets receive: Julius Randle and the draft rights to No. 28 pick Joshua Jefferson (from Minnesota).
Chicago Bulls receive: center Nic Claxton.
Additional details
Charlotte’s haul included Spagnolo, a 6’6″ Italian guard who spent last season with Valencia and helped the club reach the 2025-26 EuroLeague Final Four while winning Spain’s Liga Endesa. Gueye, whose deal is non-guaranteed, was routed to the Hornets—rather than Minnesota—to ensure every team traded with at least two partners.
The agreement had initially been reported as two separate trades but was consolidated for salary-matching purposes. League rules delayed completion until July 9 because Gueye had signed with Chicago on April 9 and carried a three-month trade restriction.
Financial impact
Brooklyn and Chicago completed the move with cap space, while Minnesota structured its portion to avoid creating a traded player exception. Charlotte, however, generated the largest TPE in league history—approximately $40.77 million, equal to Ball’s outgoing salary—and will have one year to use it.
Front-office reaction
Nets general manager Sean Marks was the lone executive quoted in the announcements.
“Julius is an extremely accomplished player who will raise our level of physical toughness and competitiveness,” Marks said. “His veteran leadership and big-game experience will be immensely impactful to our young players as we continue to grow as a team.”
Marks also thanked Claxton for seven seasons in Brooklyn, calling him “an exemplary representative of our organization.”
The trade is one of several moves tracked during the 2026 NBA offseason.
Source: Hoops Rumors
