Nets receive A- grade for Julius Randle, Nic Claxton trade
· Yahoo Sports
The Brooklyn Nets began this offseason with a move that shocked many around the NBA when they reportedly acquired forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Brooklyn essentially was able to move up a few spots from the No. 33 pick and send center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls to get the job done, but others are in favor of the deal.
Visit saltysenoritaaz.org for more information.
"You can certainly argue that there may have been more prudent uses for Brooklyn's cap space. They're one of the few teams in the league that could've been a player in free agency," Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey wrote on the move. B/R gave the Nets an A- grade for the trade and it makes sense when considering that the Timberwolves gave up a substantial amount to trade Randle away.
"But the Nets don't exactly boast a foundation or recent history that would attract big-name free agents anyway. Randle, even with the warts in his game, is likely a better talent than anyone they could've signed outright," Bailey continued. "Unloading Claxton could also open up more minutes for Day'Ron Sharpe, who was arguably Brooklyn's best center last season."
In Randle, the Nets have acquired a player that is capable of being the second-best player on a team with championship aspirations and with forward Michael Porter Jr. on the roster, Brooklyn should have a solid 1-2 punch on offense. Even though Randle was a salary-cap by Minnesota, he's owed $69 million over the next two years with the 2027-28 season being a player option.
Claxton was a good player in his own right and the Nets will have to figure out how to make up for his absence with the combination of Day'Ron Sharpe, Mo Wagner, and Danny wolf at the center spot. Brooklyn moves forward with the hope that Randle can be the guy he was in Minnesota at the very least and if he is, the Nets could surprise some people as long as most of the other moves work out.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets receive A- grade for Julius Randle, Nic Claxton trade