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Multi-Team NBA Trade Sends Julius Randle, Nic Claxton, and LaMelo Ball to New Teams

Generated on: Last updated: 6 sources
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A seismic four-team trade is set to reshape the NBA landscape, pending league approval.

In a complex series of deals expected to be finalized after the new league year begins in July, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Charlotte Hornets have agreed to a multi-player trade that sends All-Stars to new homes.

The Full Trade Breakdown

Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Sends: Forward Julius Randle, the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and center Naz Reid.
  • Receives: Guard LaMelo Ball, wing Josh Green, and the No. 33 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Brooklyn Nets

  • Sends: Center Nic Claxton and the No. 33 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
  • Receives: Forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Chicago Bulls

  • Sends: Guard Mouhamadou Gueye (non-guaranteed $2.4 million salary).
  • Receives: Center Nic Claxton.

Charlotte Hornets

  • Sends: Guard LaMelo Ball and wing Josh Green.
  • Receives: Center Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030), and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033).

Player Profiles & Recent Performance

Julius Randle (Timberwolves → Nets)
A three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA honoree. Over two seasons in Minnesota, he averaged 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 48.2% shooting. In the 2025 regular season, he averaged 21.1 points per game, though that dropped to 16 points on 39% shooting in the 2025 playoffs. He has two years remaining on a three-year, $100 million contract, including a $35.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

Nic Claxton (Nets → Bulls)
Has played seven seasons with the Nets, averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 57.1% shooting in the 2025-26 season. He is 27 years old and has two guaranteed years left on his contract: $23.3 million next season and $21 million in 2027-28, part of a four-year, $97 million deal.

LaMelo Ball (Hornets → Timberwolves)
The No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft, 2021 Rookie of the Year, and 2022 All-Star. He played 72 games in the 2025-26 season, averaging 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 36.8% from three-point range. He missed significant time from 2022 to 2025 due to ankle injuries. He has three years and $130.7 million remaining on his contract.

Naz Reid (Timberwolves → Hornets)
Averaged 23.3 points and 8.9 rebounds in the 2025-26 season as a part-time starter. He has four years and $103.4 million left on his contract.

Financial & Roster Implications

Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Clears Randle's $33 million salary and creates a $33 million trade exception.
  • Frees approximately $33 million in cap space, positioning the team $63 million under the second apron, $50 million under the first apron, and $43 million under the tax.
  • Expected to sign guard Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million contract.
  • Will not include forward Jaden McDaniels in trade discussions for Ball.
  • The combined salary for Ball and Green ($55.9 million) is slightly less than Randle and Reid ($56.6 million), assuming Ball does not waive his trade kicker.
  • Will face a second-apron hard cap in the 2026-27 season and will not generate the previously expected $33.3 million trade exception.
Brooklyn Nets
  • Acquires Randle, who has averaged at least 20 points per game in five of the last six seasons.
  • Retains $36.1 million in cap space after the trade.
  • Holds the No. 6 pick in the draft after compiling records of 32-50, 26-56, and 20-62 over the past three seasons.
Chicago Bulls
  • Acquires Claxton using cap space, absorbing his contract without giving up any assets.
  • Retains $32.5 million in cap space after the transaction.
Charlotte Hornets
  • Receives a $40.8 million traded player exception, the largest in NBA history.
  • Gains cap flexibility to potentially re-sign free agent guard Coby White.
  • Expected to build around forward Brandon Miller, guard Kon Knueppel, and Reid, who provides frontcourt shooting.

Background & Context

The Timberwolves had expressed interest in acquiring Ball, seeking to address a point guard need after Mike Conley reduced his role and 2024 lottery pick Rob Dillingham did not develop as anticipated. Guard Donte DiVincenzo, who started at point guard for Minnesota, suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs and is expected to miss most or all of the 2026-27 season.

The trades were reported by sources with knowledge of the terms who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deals have not received league approval. ESPN first reported the initial three-team trade.