Julius Randle trade grades: Who won Nets, Bulls and Timberwolves deal?
Article excerpt
A Julius Randle trade involving Nic Claxton has been made. Let's hand out some trade grades for the Timberwolves, Bulls and Nets.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have some tinkering to do this NBA offseason as the contenders search for the answers that have eluded them, and it started with what was a contract dump.
They dealt Julius Randle, whom they originally acquired for Karl-Anthony Towns, to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal involving the Chicago Bulls. It's a big deal for Minnesota because it created room to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu, who did an awesome job after the franchise acquired him at the trade deadline. Yes, it's a lot to take in here.
So who won this one? What are the details? Let's break it down as usual:
Timberwolves, Nets and Bulls trade details
Nets get: F Julius Randle, 2026 first-round pick (No. 28)
Timberwolves get: F Mo Gueye, 2026 second-round pick (No. 33)
Bulls get: C Nic Claxton
Nets trade grade
You know the drill with rebuilding teams. If you have the cap room in the NBA and you're not contending anytime soon, you use that space to take on bad contracts and you grab draft picks for your troubles.
That's what Brooklyn did here. Randle is a talent who can be a weird fit on both ends of the floor, sometimes he slows down offenses, he's not known for his defense, but maybe his presence is good for the young Nets. Plus, they got a first-rounder out of it. Good job. GRADE: B+
Timberwolves trade grade
We have to factor in bringing back Dosunmu, and they have a large trade exception to go along with this (to acquire... maybe another guard??) deal.
Overall, you can't fault Minnesota for getting off of Randle's contract after his postseason. Dosunmu was great and will continue to be for this roster, but maybe it's an incomplete grade while we wait to see what else Minnesota does. But for now, it was a necessary move that opened up a lot of possibilities. GRADE: B
Bulls trade grade
They have cap space and they used it on a solid center who blocks shots and who might thrive in a new environment. Giving away basically nothing for him is nice, and maybe this is a sign that Chicago isn't going to sit around in play-in purgatory heading into this season. I like this a lot. GRADE: A-
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Julius Randle trade grades for Nets, Bulls and Timberwolves deal