According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, a three-team trade featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls has taken place to revolve around Nic Claxton and Julius Randle.

The Timberwolves are trading Julius Randle and the 28th pick to the Nets for the 33rd pick, as the Bulls are receiving Nic Claxton from the Nets. An hour later, reports came out that Chicago is trading Mo Gueye to Minnesota.

Minnesota’s organization did re-sign Randle during the 2025 offseason on a three-year, $100 million contract as they found retaining him over Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the bigger priority. With them unloading his contract, this created the path to extending Ayo Dosunmu (who signed a five-year, $112 million extension). The Wolves also created a $33.3 million trade exception as part of the trade.

Naz Reid will be inserted into starting lineup as their power forward. Jaden McDaniels will continue his rising role as a co-star for Anthony Edwards on offense.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Julius Randle have agreed to a contract extension that is worth $100 million dollars. This deal does include a player option.

The official terms of the deal is $100 million over three years with a player option for the 2027-28 season. Randle is coming off a four-year, $117 million contract he signed with the New York Knicks back in 2021.

Before free agency opens on Monday, Minnesota has been able to secure Naz Reid and the 30-year-old for their long-term plans.

In 60 games played last season, the veteran averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Randle played an instrumental role in their first round series victory over the Los Angles Lakers.

According to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, teams around the league don’t value Julius Randle the same way the New York Knicks do. That means his trade value isn’t as great as New York’s management thinks.

There’s always been a sense of whether Randle was a franchise player or a player that could have any role in this organization; it got increasingly louder when they went on a playoff run without the 29-year-old last season.

“I don’t believe there is a team in the NBA that would value the three-time All-Star more than the Knicks do,” writes Fred Katz at The Athletic. 

Katz continued to say that there’s only “neutral” interest in Randle, and that’s “at best.” This is heartbreaking to hear if you are a fan of the Knicks and want him gone.

Randle has one year left on his contract before deciding whether to exercise his option. If he opts into the option in 2025-26, it’ll cost New York $30.9 million.