The Minnesota Timberwolves are trading Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in tonight's draft to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team deal that also sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, per ESPN and the Associated Press.
Nets receive: Julius Randle (from Minnesota), No. 28 pick (from Minnesota).
Bulls receive: Nic Claxton (from Brooklyn).
Timberwolves receive: No. 33 pick (from Brooklyn), Mo Gueye (from Chicago), $33 million trade exception.
Financial: Randle's $33.3M salary moves to Brooklyn; Claxton's $23.3M to Chicago.
Why Minnesota moved on from Randle
Randle had a strong regular season – one of just 10 players leaguewide to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists while appearing in 79 games. The playoffs told a different story. Against the San Antonio Spurs in the second round, he posted 12.8 points on 34% shooting (19% from three) in six games, and Minnesota lost the series.
The Wolves exit the deal with a $33 million trade exception, cap flexibility to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu and target other free agents, plus a second-round pick. They are absorbing very little in return. For a team managing luxury tax exposure, it is a clean exit.
Brooklyn banks on veteran upside
The Nets have been active users of their cap space this offseason. Randle, 31, is a physical power forward who can score in the post and facilitate offense for teammates. Pairing him with Brooklyn's young core gives the Nets a legitimate scoring threat at the four spot.
Chicago, for its part, adds Claxton – a 27-year-old rim protector at a workable salary – giving the Bulls a quality defensive anchor up front.
