While everyone was waiting for the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster trade to go down, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls surprised everyone with a deal of their own.
The Timberwolves reportedly traded Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Nets in exchange for Mo Gueye and the No. 33 pick in the draft, while the Bulls received Nic Claxton. The NBA community had mixed reactions to the stunning move.
Timberwolves’ Surprise Julius Randle Trade Sparks Strong Reactions From NBA World
Tim Connelly, Minnesota’s president of basketball operations, said in his exit interview last month that his team “wasn’t good enough.” The executive promised he would be as “aggressive as possible” in the offseason.
Shortly after trading Randle’s massive contract, the Timberwolves agreed to a five-year, $112 million extension with Ayo Dosunmu, so this was clearly a cap-clearing move. The trade prompted some strong reactions from NBA observers, who were surprised that Minnesota couldn’t get more back for Randle.
The Athletic’s Esfandiar Baraheni couldn’t hide his surprise: “I am beyond confused from the Timberwolves’ POV. They had to dump Randle like this?!”
I am beyond confused from the Timberwolves POV.
They had to dump Randle like this?! https://t.co/D65xnsr6DQ
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) June 23, 2026
“Naz Reid is going to be the starting power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time in his career. This move is a big statement of belief in Reid and Jaden McDaniels to take the next steps in their development,’ Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczynski tweeted.
Naz Reid is going to be the starting power forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves for the first time in his career. This move is a big statement of belief in Reid and Jaden McDaniels to take the next steps in their development.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) June 23, 2026
One New York Knicks influencer wrote: “Head-scratching deal for Minnesota imo. Got nothing back for Julius Randle. The issues in the locker room wiped out any motivation to get back anything of value. They were desperate to move on.”
Head scratching deal for Minnesota imo. Got nothing back for Julius Randle.
The issues in the locker room wiped out any motivation to get back anything of value. They were desperate to move on.
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) June 23, 2026
The Bulls feel like a major winner in this trade, as they landed Claxton without parting with much at all.
“Did the Bulls get Nic Claxton for free???,” podcaster Drew Velez asked.
Tony Jones, who covers the Philadelphia 76ers and the NBA as a whole for The Athletic, agreed with Velez: “That’s a great trade for Chicago.”
Did the Bulls just get Nic Claxton for free???
— Drew Velez (@haaaaandrew) June 23, 2026
ESPN’s salary cap guru Bobby Marks further explained the Timberwolves’ thinking.
“The Timberwolves now have the flexibility to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu and have available the $15M non tax midlevel and $5.5M biannual exception. Minnesota will also create a $33.3M trade exception,” Marks wrote.
The Timberwolves now have the flexibility to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu and have available the $15M non tax midlevel and $5.5M biannual exception.
Minnesota will also create a $33.3M trade exception.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 23, 2026
NBA insider Kevin O’Connor speculated on how Minnesota could use that $33.3 million trade exception.
“Who fits into that? Derrick White, who has recently been rumored as a target for Minnesota. Also worth thinking about: Trey Murphy, Jrue Holiday, Dejounte Murray, and Myles Turner for players in that same range,” O’Connor wrote.
The Timerwolves will have a traded player exception worth $33 mil. Who fits into that? Derrick White, who has recently been rumored as a target for Minnesota.
Also worth thinking about: Trey Murphy, Jrue Holiday, Dejounte Murray, and Myles Turner for players in that same range. https://t.co/pa7LXoqyjF
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 23, 2026
Last season, the Timberwolves lost in a bruising Western Conference Semifinal series against the San Antonio Spurs. They notably lacked another ballhandler, playmaker, and shooter. With Donte DiVincenzo out with a torn right Achilles tendon and Anthony Edwards dealing with a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise, Minnesota’s backcourt was limited.
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Connelly said in his press conference last month that if the Timberwolves mess up, “we’ll mess up loudly.” The verdict on whether he made the right decision in trading Randle for cap space is unclear. What is certain, though, is that it was a loud move that sent shockwaves through the NBA community.
