The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 overall pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a three-team deal that sends Nets center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, according to Shams Charania .

Charania wrote on X: "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. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn's No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28."

The trade generates a $33 million trade exception for Minnesota and drops the team's total salary to $50 million below the first tax apron, giving the Timberwolves additional flexibility to pursue roster upgrades.

Randle has two years remaining on his current contract. By moving him, Minnesota has cleared significant salary room, which can be used to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu while opening up a starting spot for Naz Reid.

This season, Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5 assists during the regular season. However, his production dropped sharply in the playoffs, where he averaged just 16 points on 39% shooting .