![\"Julius](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2276823376-e1782181423230.jpg\")
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The Brooklyn Nets<\/a> were set to have a ton of cap space this offseason, and they used part of it to acquire Julius Randle<\/a> in a buy-low move.<\/p>\n On Monday night, the day before the NBA Draft, ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania revealed a blockbuster, three-team trade between the Nets, the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a>, and the Chicago Bulls<\/a>.<\/p>\n Heading to the Nets is Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft, which Minnesota previously acquired from the Detroit Pistons<\/a>. Heading to the Timberwolves is the No. 33 pick in the NBA Draft from the Nets, while the Bulls acquired center Nic Claxton<\/a> from Brooklyn.<\/p>\n Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn\u2019s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28. <\/p>\n Why Nets Did This Deal<\/p>\n For the Nets, this deal accomplished a few different things for general manager Sean Marks.<\/p>\n First, the team actually improved its draft position, as they went from having the No. 33 pick to the No. 28 pick. That\u2019s always a benefit, as the Nets will have a better chance to acquire the player they want around that position in the draft.<\/p>\n Two, the Nets upgraded on Claxton to Randle, who, despite his flaws, is simply the better NBA player, and one who should excel on the Nets as he could be the team\u2019s primary scoring option next season.<\/p>\n And third, the Nets had tons of cap room to spare. By swapping out Claxton\u2019s $23.3 million salary for next year and taking on Randle\u2019s $33.3 million cap hit, the Nets cut down their cap space. But they still have over $36 million in cap space for next season, so that wasn\u2019t a big deal for them. If anything, it helps the Nets get closer to the cap floor, so it\u2019s a good move for them.<\/p>\n Again, Randle is a really good player, and he should put up big numbers if the Nets keep him on their roster. He has this year remaining on his contract and then a player option for another season after that. He previously played for the New York Knicks<\/a> and excelled playing in New York, so Brooklyn is a good home for him.<\/p>\n As for losing Claxton, he was a good player for the Nets over the years, but also, the team hasn\u2019t really won anything with him, and it was time to move on.<\/p>\n The Nets increase their payroll by $13 million by trading Nic Claxton for Julius Randle and #28<\/a>.<\/p>\n They have $20.2 million in room remaining and the $9.4 million room mid-level to spend after.<\/p>\n They now have 15 first-round picks through 2033, including two selections tomorrow. <\/p>\n Why the Timberwolves Sold Low on Randle<\/p>\n There is no doubt the Timberwolves sold low on Randle<\/a>, as they essentially gave him away for free. Considering they traded Karl-Anthony Towns<\/a> to get him a few years ago, this is not the way that anyone thought Randle\u2019s chapter in Minnesota would end.<\/p>\n But by dealing away Randle, the Timberwolves are now over $43 million under the luxury tax, and they created a massive $33 million trade exception in the deal. The team now has the cap space to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu<\/a>, something that was a priority for them, and they also get access to other exceptions to sign other players.<\/p>\n Losing Randle is going to hurt in the short term, but the Timberwolves clearly felt they had to make the move for the betterment of their cap, and they pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n Cap and Tax impacts for the Nets, Bulls and Wolves three-team trades:<\/p>\n Brooklyn: $36.1M in projected cap space available Minnesota: $43.8M under the luxury tax, create a $33.3M TPE<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAdam Martin<\/a> Adam Martin is a sports journalist with over 15 years of experience. He has a speciality in MMA, while also covering the Big 4 Sports. Adam is currently a contributor to Heavy.com, with previous experience working for The Toronto Star, Sportsnet, theScore, Bookies, BJPenn.com, and MMAOddsbreaker.com. More about Adam Martin<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \t
\nChicago: $32.5M in projected cap space available<\/p>\n