Trading Julius Randle on the eve of the 2026 NBA Draft was a straight salary dump, and the relief was significant.
Randle and the No. 28 pick are heading to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal. Minnesota receives the No. 33 pick in return, while Nic Claxton moves from Brooklyn to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls also send forward Mouhamadou Gueye to the Timberwolves, though his non-guaranteed contract is expected to be waived.
The move pulls Minnesota well clear of the luxury tax and the league’s apron thresholds, and it freed the room to re-sign guard Ayo Dosunmu. It also hints at a bigger swing still to come.
How much the Timberwolves cleared in cap space
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the agreement on X on Monday night.
By offloading Randle’s $33.3 million salary and dropping out of the No. 28 pick’s guaranteed rookie deal, Minnesota cut about $36 million from its books for the coming season.
The savings reshape the team’s summer. Before the trade, the Timberwolves were drifting toward the second apron — the upper of two spending thresholds the NBA sets above the luxury tax. Both come with penalties built to stop the richest teams from simply buying their way out of roster trouble.
Crossing the first apron, projected at around $209 million next season, costs a team its full mid-level exception.
Crossing the second, near $222 million, is harsher again, locking down trades and the use of exceptions. Minnesota now sits roughly $50 million below the first apron and $63 million below the second.
The deal also created a $33.3 million trade exception — a tool that lets the Timberwolves absorb a contract of that size in a future trade without sending matching salary back.
A prelude to a bigger move
The flexibility is already being put to use. Shortly after the Randle trade, Minnesota agreed a five-year, $112 million contract to keep Dosunmu, the role player who became a postseason standout off the bench.
With the books cleared, a sizable trade exception in hand and plenty of room beneath the aprons, the Timberwolves are set up to chase an upgrade around Anthony Edwards rather than run back the roster that lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
It has the feel of a prelude to something bigger.
READ MORE:
Serena Williams reacts after Giannis Antetokounmpo is traded to the Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks owner had one concern about Jaylen Brown-led package for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Boston Celtics’ failed Jaylen Brown package for Giannis Antetokounmpo revealed
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
