The Brooklyn Nets did not just sit around waiting for the NBA Draft to happen. On the eve of Tuesday’s first round, they jumped into a three-team trade that brought back three-time All-Star Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick. Minnesota got the No. 33 pick. Chicago landed Nic Claxton.
This is a move that makes sense for a team that’s been stuck between two identities: trying to rebuild and trying to stay relevant. The Nets don’t control their own 2027 first-rounder, so tanking has serious limits for them. They needed a player who could raise the floor without wrecking the future. Randle is that guy.
Last season with the Timberwolves, Randle averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor. Minnesota’s offense was noticeably better with him on the court — 7.6 points per 100 possessions better, which ranked in the top 10 among high-minute players league-wide. He’s not a perfect player, but he’s a proven on-ball creator who can let Brooklyn’s young guys play off him instead of forcing them to carry the whole scoring load themselves.
The trade also opens up real minutes for Day’Ron Sharpe. He’s been one of the better backup centers in the league the past two years, averaging 8.4 points and 6.6 boards in just 18.5 minutes a night while shooting 56.3 percent. The Nets were eight points better per 100 possessions with Sharpe on the floor last season. That’s a better net rating swing than Claxton gave them. Moving Claxton now, while his value is still solid, lets Sharpe take over a bigger role without the team skipping a beat at center.
Financially, the Nets added about $10 million to next season’s cap. But the free agent market this summer is thin, so it’s not like they’re missing out on someone big. And if Randle plays well? He has a $35.8 million player option for 2026-27. That’s a very tradeable expiring contract next summer.
Moving up from No. 33 to No. 28 gives Brooklyn another first-round swing. That’s not nothing. Late first-round picks can turn into rotational players, and the Nets need as many bites at the apple as they can get.
Grading the Deal for Brooklyn
This is exactly the kind of move a team in Brooklyn’s position should make. They got better right now. They added a veteran who can help develop young players. They did not give up future assets. They did not lock themselves into bad money. And they still have room to make another move if the right one comes along.
The grade here is an A-. Not perfect — nothing ever is — but pretty close to exactly what this roster needed.
Leave a Comment