The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in Tuesday's NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets, sliding back to the 33rd pick in a three-team blockbuster. The deal, reported by ESPN's Shams Charania on the eve of the draft, also sends center Nic Claxton from Brooklyn to the Chicago Bulls.
As part of the transaction, the Bulls will use $23.1 million of their cap space to facilitate the move. The Wolves clear significant salary by offloading Randle, a three-time All-Star who averaged 18.3 points and 7.8 rebounds last season. For the Nets, Randle adds frontcourt scoring to a rebuilding roster while Chicago acquires a defensive anchor in the 25-year-old Claxton.
The trade reshapes the competitive balance in the Eastern Conference: the Nets gain a veteran scorer to pair with young guards, the Bulls lock in a rim-protecting center for their playoff push, and the Timberwolves shed salary while retaining draft capital. No draft night deals involving additional players from Minnesota have been reported.
All three teams now turn to Tuesday's draft night with different priorities. The Nets hold the 28th pick, the Wolves will pick 33rd, and the Bulls—now with added cap flexibility—remain poised to make further moves before free agency opens. "This gives us flexibility and a clear direction," a source close to the Timberwolves front office told Yahoo Sports, though no official statements have been released by any team.