Category: Basketball

The Giannis Antetokounmpo era is over for the Milwaukee Bucks. After years of resisting trade overtures for their franchise star, the Bucks finally agreed to deal the two-time MVP as he enters the final year of his contract.

The Miami Heat have acquired Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Bucks in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and the No. 13 overall pick in the 2026 draft, unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033, a first-round pick swap in 2030, and a 2033 second-rounder, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. The Bucks chose this offer over a package from the Boston Celtics headlined by Jaylen Brown.

The Bucks finally decided to accept reality that they couldn’t build another championship team around Giannis. The Heat finally landed a new superstar after years of coming up just short in trade offers. The trade that the entire league was waiting for finally happened. Let’s grade this deal for both sides.

Heat trade grade for Giannis Antetokounmpo deal

It’s hard to believe the Heat are the only team in the NBA to make multiple appearances in the NBA Finals during the 2020s. Miami lost in the first round of the playoffs in the two years following its shocking 2023 Finals run as a No. 8 seed, and last season the Heat missed the playoffs completely for the first time since 2019.

The Heat had gone as far as they could with their current roster. They badly needed a star, and they found one who actually wants to be there. This was reportedly Giannis’ preferred landing spot, and it’s likely he signs a long-term contract extension there before the season begins.

Giannis is still one of the best players in the NBA when he’s healthy. He’s a dominant rim attacker, a terrifying transition threat, a sharp passer, and one of the league’s scariest help defenders who now gets to roam next to an elite defensive center in Bam Adebayo. Health has been his biggest issue in recent years. His body seems to break down around the playoffs every year, and it’s why the Bucks made three straight first-round playoff exits before missing the postseason entirely this past season. He turns 32 years old in December.

The Heat don’t have much left after this trade. Adebayo and Antetokounmpo might be the NBA’s best front line, but there are a lot of questions after that. Norman Powell is an unrestricted free agent. Andrew Wiggins has a $30 million player option. The best guard currently under contract for next season is either Davion Mitchell or Pelle Larsson. The point is, the Heat have a lot of work to do to build a contending team around Giannis and Bam after this year. Still, finding stars is the hard part, and Miami has landed one of the best if he can stay healthy.

There’s a lot of risk here if Giannis’ continues to break down after they sign him to an extension. The reality is the Heat didn’t have a better path forward. Miami had been stuck in the middle for years. They refused to tank. Making an all-in push for Giannis felt like their only way out, but the pressure is on in a big way now to quickly transform this roster with compelling role players. The Heat are typically the best organization in the league at development diamonds in the rough. Erik Spoelstra is a living legend as head coach. Let’s see if they can do it again.

Heat grade: B+

Bucks trade grade for Giannis Antetokounmpo deal

Giannis really should have been a one-team superstar like Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant, but the Bucks’ grand plans to build around him went bust. Milwaukee’s bold trade for Damian Lillard didn’t work out like they hoped, and it left the franchise without any other assets for future moves. The divorce between Giannis and the Bucks happened in slow motion, but it feels like the best move for both sides.

This feels like the best possible trade return for the Bucks even if it’s a tad underwhelming compared to recent deals for inferior players like Desmond Bane, Mikal Bridges, and Rudy Gobert. The Bucks got quite a bit here given that Giannis only had one more season left on his contract. Landing a second lottery pick in a good draft is nice work. Miami’s unprotected picks in 2031 and 2033 as Giannis enters his late-30s could be juicy.

It really feels like the Bucks squeezed the Heat for the best possible offer. The 2030 pick swap is a nice inclusion. Getting Kasparas Jakucionis, a first-round pick last season, is a worthy flier for the backcourt. Herro is a Milwaukee native and one of the better scoring guards in the league, but he doesn’t really fit the Bucks’ timeline now. I’d bet Herro gets flipped before the season, and the Bucks get even more assets back to help with their rebuild.

I have always loved Kel’el Ware’s raw talent. He’s a bouncy center with a nearly 7’5 wingspan who made 39.5 percent of his threes on 6.5 attempts per 100 possessions last year. He’s a good rebounder on both ends when he’s engaged. Ware is so talented that he often leaves you wanting more, and he never truly earned the trust of Spoelstra during his first two years in Miami. He just turned 22 years old. If he can grow into the Bucks’ center of the future, this package will look a lot more appealing.

This is a sad ending for the Giannis era in Milwaukee, but the Bucks did well to recoup every last future asset they could in the deal.

Bucks grade: A-

The balance of the Eastern Conference has shifted one more time, with Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Heat in this June 22nd blockbuster trade.

Shame Charania has announced the trade, which see Giannis make his way to the Heat, alongside Bobby Portis. The Bucks will recoup four players – guards Tyler Herro, and Kasparas Jakucionis, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr, and centre Kel’el Ware – alongside the 13th overall pick in Tuesday’s draft, two more first rounders, alongside a second rounder and a pick swap, in exchange for parting with the one-time champion, two-time MVP. This is a move that has brought Milwaukee into a retooling phase, while elevating Giannis into a position of potential contention now that the forward has joined their team.

BLOCKBUSTER: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NQT5ZhdJU9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

This move has serious ramifications for the Eastern Conference as a whole, but the Raptors’ already precarious position has been made even more uncertain with the entrance of a new heavy-hitter to the East.

A certain level of parity was hit in the middle of the pack last year, with the 5th and 6th seeded Raptors and Hawks tied with 46-36 records, and the 7th and 8th seeded 76ers and Magic were only two games behind, going 45-37. The Miami Heat went 43 and 39, earning the 10th seed. With low-level playoff spots as close as they are, the Heat’s jump-ahead to become even more serious contenders could result in a team that Toronto ends up facing in the play-in, or, should playoff seeding come down to the wire as it did in the past season, competing with for the fifth or sixth seed.

More playoff-calibre teams are the last things this Raptors squad needs to deal with as they fight to establish themselves in the league. However, there is something of a silver lining for Toronto, depending on the way you look at things: Rebecca Schapelhouman wrote on the Bucks potentially letting go of Myles Turner as part of their rebuild post-Giannis, allowing Toronto to move off of some rough contracts in the process, while getting a floor spacing big who, perhaps with a change of scenery, could flourish north of the border.

After years of intrigue connecting the Raptors and Antetokounmpo, the latest chapter of the Greek Freak-Toronto saga is finally closed. Want to look back on our old days of chasing the forward? Check out this old piece about what Chelsea Leite would, and wouldn’t give up for Giannis.

That’s finally over.

The Milwaukee Bucks have traded Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat, sending one of the league’s defining superstars to a direct Eastern Conference rival in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including No. 13), one pick swap, and one second-round pick.

BLOCKBUSTER: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NQT5ZhdJU9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

The deal theoretically reshapes the conference and gives the defending champion New York Knicks a new obstacle on their road back to the Finals.

Milwaukee agreed to send Antetokounmpo and Portis to Miami in exchange for Herro, Ware, Jaquez Jr., Jakucionis, three first-round selections, a pick swap, and a second-rounder.

The move ends an era for the Bucks while making Miami an instant contender built around Giannis and Bam Adebayo.

The Knicks were already expecting opponents to take big swings after winning the NBA championship. Adding a player who has been an MVP (twice), Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and perennial All-NBA selection is quite a haymaker.

That said, our panic meter isn’t hemorrhaging just yet. New York won a championship by combining elite star talent with depth, versatility, chemistry, and commitment to defense. This trade doesn’t erase that foundation. Nonetheless, every television panel and podcast will spend the summer discussing whether Giannis and Bam Adebayo have already leapfrogged the defending champs.

According to Shams Charania, “The Celtics aggressively pursued Giannis, offering Milwaukee a package featuring 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and two first-round picks, sources tell ESPN. The Bucks seriously negotiated with two finalists in recent weeks: Miami and Boston, which were both on Antetokounmpo’s list of preferred destinations.”

We bet things will be awkward in the locker room if the Celts go into training camp with Brown still on the roster. Oh, to be a fly on the wall. . . .

The combination of Giannis and Adebayo gives Miami one of the league’s most intimidating frontcourts, capable of controlling the paint on both ends. The flip side is that Miami paid a big price for the privilege, stripping away much of the franchise’s young depth and future flexibility.

Veteran minimum players are likely to be interested in joining the Heat now. Meanwhile, Milwaukee begins a franchise-altering rebuild built around a haul of young players and draft assets. And the Knicks? They’ll keep preparing to defend a title.

Go Knicks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, finally, has a new home.

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to trade Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star, and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat in a massive blockbuster deal Monday, June 22, moving one of the elite players in the league – when healthy – two people with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The people spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the deal.

In return, the Bucks will receive Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, three first-round picks, a second-round selection and a pick swap, as they look to rebuild for the future after Antetokounmpo delivered a championship during the 2021 NBA Finals.

The trade cannot be executed until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET, which is the start of the new league year. Because of that, this trade could expand to include more teams and players, and the Heat will need to make the selection at No. 13 Tuesday night on behalf of Milwaukee.

But with this move, the Heat instantly improve their standing in the East, and team president Pat Riley once again delivers a star player to Miami. Antetokounmpo also gets his wish. He had long been linked to Miami, and he and Heat captain Bam Adebayo share the same agent, Alex Saratsis.

The Heat started the 2025-26 season hot as they revamped their offense to focus on speed, pace and fastbreak offense, but opposing teams deployed more zone and full-court pressure to slow the Heat considerably.

Miami struggled to gain traction and faded in the second half of the season, eventually losing in the Play-In Tournament to miss the postseason for the first time in six seasons.

Antetokounmpo, however, fits Miami’s philosophy perfectly. Blessed with incredible size and length at 6-foot-11, and elite athleticism, Antetokounmpo is arguably the best transition scorer in the NBA. By pairing him with Adebayo, an NBA All-Defensive second-team selection, the Heat now have formidable height, defensive versatility and rim protection, which will be invaluable in the East.

In many ways, this move is a direct maneuver to compete against teams like the Knicks, Celtics, Pacers and Cavaliers in the East. And after the fan base had clamored for Riley and the front office to take a big swing to land a star, this trade appeases those who had started to wonder if maybe it was time for Riley to step down.

This comes after months of speculation that Antetokounmpo, 31, was seeking a new home. Antetokounmpo was the big name constantly mentioned prior to the 2026 NBA trading deadline in February, as the Bucks weighed interest in the star. The constant rumor prompted both the Bucks and Antetokounmpo to repeatedly address his future in Milwaukee.

For example, a Jan. 28 report indicated that Antetokounmpo was ready for a new home, either before the trading deadline, or in the offseason. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam, however, indicated earlier in May that he expected resolution concerning Antetokounmpo’s future before the NBA draft.

Antetokounmpo, however, played only 36 games this season after he dealt with multiple calf injuries that sidelined him for extended stretches of the campaign. Shortly after Milwaukee’s season ended without the Bucks making the playoffs, Doc Rivers stepped down as head coach, and the team eventually hired former Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins in late April.

Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, and leaves Milwaukee as one of the franchise greats in his 13 seasons with the team.

Antetokounmpo departs as the Bucks’ all-time leader in points (21,531), rebounds (8,882), assists (4,484), blocks (1,088), triple-doubles (56), games played (895), field goals (7,898) and field goal attempts (14,266).

He delivered an NBA championship to Milwaukee in 2021, after he carried the Bucks past the Phoenix Suns in six games. Antetokounmpo had maintained that he wanted to continue to compete for championships and had become frustrated with Milwaukee’s recent performance.

The Bucks finished the season 32-50, which ranked them 11th in the Eastern Conference, well below the top contending teams.

With their additions of Herro, Ware, Jaquez and Jakučionis, Milwaukee now has a young core of lower-cost players to build around. The Bucks also stashed up on significant draft capital, which will allow the team to be aggressive in adding young talent in the coming years, especially considering the recent reform to the NBA draft lottery.

The Bucks faced an uncertain future with Antetokounmpo set to enter the final season of his contract in 2026-27. Antetokounmpo does have a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, but Milwaukee faced the prospect of losing Antetokounmpo without recouping any assets, given that he and his representatives had indicated to Bucks management that he was not planning on signing a long-term extension with the franchise.

Giannis Antetokounmpo trade details

• Heat receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis (via TPE)
• Bucks receive: Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2026 first-round pick (No. 13 overall), 2031 unprotected first-round pick, 2033 unprotected first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick swap, 2033 second-round pick.

Miami Heat roster

The Heat's updated depth chart after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis:

• Davion Mitchell
• Norman Powell (UFA)
• Andrew Wiggins (must exercise 2026-27 player option by Monday, June 29)
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Bam Adebayo
• Reserves: Bobby Portis, Dru Smith, Simone Fontecchio (UFA), Myron Gardner, Vladislav Goldin, Keshad Johnson (RFA), Nikola Jović, Trevor Keels (RFA), Pelle Larsson, Jahmir Young.

UFA: unrestricted free agentRFA: restricted free agent

Giannis Antetokounmpo contract details

Giannis is owed $58.5 million in 2026-27 and has a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. He will be eligible to sign an extension with Miami on Jan. 6. 

Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam 'a driving force' in taking Miami's offer

According to Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor, Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam didn't want to risk Jaylen Brown wanting out of Milwaukee. In that regard, Miami's deal provided more certainty for the Bucks' owner.

Giannis Antetokounmpo 2025-26 stats

Though he played just 36 games because of various injuries, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game this past season for Milwaukee. The Greek Freak shot a career-best 62.4% from the field, and his 34.4 points per 36 minutes ranked first in the NBA.

Heat cap space following Giannis trade

According to NBA salary cap analyst Yossi Gozlan, Miami is now hard-capped at the first apron. Assuming Andrew Wiggins opts in, the Heat will have $18.3 million in first apron cap space to fill out their roster. 

What happens to Thanasis Antetokounmpo?

Thanasis is a free agent and will be eligible to sign with any team. Miami would seem like a logical destination after trading for his brother.

How old is Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Giannis is 31 years old. He turns 32 on Dec. 6.

Giannis trade grades

Read the full breakdown from USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes.

• Milwaukee Bucks — The draft capital is where this deal can really pay dividends for Milwaukee. Now, the Bucks just need to hit on those picks. Grade: A-
• Miami Heat — The Heat were never going to compete with the roster they had. Miami needs to add shooting, but it now has the defensive ability to compete with the conference’s best teams. Grade: B+
• Boston Celtics — The Celtics don’t like to have their business or their intentions aired out in the open like this. And, ultimately, failing to land Antetokounmpo goes down as a failure. Grade: D

Will Bucks trade Tyler Herro?

According to The Athletic, Milwaukee is evaluating its options with Herro, including keeping him or rerouting him to another team.

What Giannis Antetokounmpo trade means for Bucks

Our Kristie Ackert broke down what the blockbuster trade means for Milwaukee. You can read that here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis Antetokounmpo goes to Heat in league-shaking blockbuster trade

The Lakers never really got involved in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes this summer, but there were just enough murmurs on the fringes of the deal that could have included the purple and gold.

For now, though, it’s a straight two-team trade that will send Giannis to Miami for about everything notable they have, including Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and three first round picks.

BLOCKBUSTER: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NQT5ZhdJU9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

While it’s only a two-team trade right now, the deal won’t be executed until the league’s moratorium ends on July 6, leaving open the possibility of other teams getting involved.

The Heat are sending to Milwaukee unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033 along with No. 13, a pick swap in 2030 and a 2033 second-rounder, according to sources. 

The trade does not include any additional teams — it is a one-to-one move, sources said — but both the Heat… https://t.co/qsxVhBh9gp

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

It’s not directly clear how the Lakers could get involved. Ware would fill a need at the center position, but there are some concerns given how much he fell out of favor with Erik Spoelstra in Miami.

Herro is likely to be rerouted with all sorts of signs pointing to Detroit. Perhaps the Lakers could get involved with that aspect and land something from Pistons, but nothing jumps out. Perhaps an Isaiah Stewart deal could materialize, but he’d have to mend fences with LeBron James after trying to repeatedly fight him.

For now, Los Angeles gets to sit by and watch all this unfold. At least they didn’t pull a Boston Celtics and dangle their star player in a trade that the Bucks didn’t ultimately except, likely burning the brigde between the two parties and forcing you to now pull off a different trade.

Could you imagine?

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

The Greek Freak is taking his talents to South Beach.

The Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat in a blockbuster trade late Monday, according to ESPN, ending hours of speculation with Miami and the Celtics emerging as the finalists.

The Bucks also sent Bobby Portis to Miami in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with the No. 13 pick in tonight’s draft, a 2033 second-round pick and a pick swap in 2030, according to ESPN.

Boston offered star Jaylen Brown and two first-rounders to the Bucks, according to ESPN.

It has been long speculated that Antetokounmpo’s time in Milwaukee was coming to an end, with drama between both parties occurring throughout the 2025-26 NBA season.

Despite it looking like the Bucks were going to move on from the 10-time All-Star ahead of the trade deadline, they were ultimately unsuccessful in engaging in trade talks in February.

Antetokounmpo reportedly first expressed wanting to be traded last May, which then prompted Milwaukee to give big man Myles Turner a $108.7 million deal in an attempt to build a contending team for this past season.

Things did not work out, however, with the Bucks finishing with a 32-50 record and their first year missing the postseason in a decade.

Antetokounmpo played just 36 games last year, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while being sidelined with knee problems for the majority of the season. ]

His injury was also a source of concern for the NBA, with the league investigating the Bucks for allegedly violating the “player participation policy and potential inconsistent statements.”

Despite Antetokounmpo claiming that he was ready to play again, the Bucks refused to medically clear the two-time MVP.

“For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete it’s like a slap in my face. So, I don’t know where the relationship goes from there,” he told reporters in April.

“I’ve never seen a case of a player saying, my caliber of player, that’s like, I’m saying it publicly, I want to f–king play. You know what I’m saying?” he added. “I don’t think I’ve seen this. So, if there needs to be an investigation, great.

“There should be. I don’t know. There should be. Until we figure something out.”

It’s official. The Milwaukee Bucks have officially ended the Giannis Antetokounmpo era by trading him to the Miami Heat. ESPN insider Shams Charania was the first to report the news.

BLOCKBUSTER: The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, 3 first-round picks (including No. 13), 1 pick swap and 1 second-rounder, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/NQT5ZhdJU9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

The Bucks waffled back and forth between the Heat and Boston Celtics on possible deals, but ultimately decided to go with Miami’s offer. The Celtics could have sent a package headlined by Jaylen Brown, but it appears that the Bucks preferred the route that featured several players that could truly kickstart their rebuild.

It’s definitely a sad day for the Bucks organization as they say goodbye to their franchise icon of 13 years, but after winning just 32 games and missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade this past season, it was time to move on.

During his 13 years with the Bucks, Antetokounmpo led the franchise to 10 playoff appearances. He helped the Bucks reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2019 after winning his first league MVP award. Two years later, his defining moment came when he led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. The following year, the Bucks reached the second round of the playoffs, marking the last time Milwaukee won a playoff series.

The Bucks now have a chance to start fresh with an organic rebuild as they look to try and find the right pieces that can build a contender once again in Milwaukee.

Brew Hoop community, let us know your thoughts on the trade. How do you feel now that it is official? Chime off in the comments section below.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are saying goodbye to Julius Randle after sending him to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls.

They are also opening the door for point guard Ayo Dosunmu to make himself a long-term piece of the puzzle with the Wolves. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Dosunmu is set to sign a five-year deal with the Wolves.

“Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN. Timberwolves made it a major priority to lock in Dosunmu after his tremendous postseason,” Charania tweeted.

Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN. Timberwolves made it a major priority to lock in Dosunmu after his tremendous postseason. pic.twitter.com/xw93nAUhJt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

Dosunmu was expected to have a lot of interest in free agency, but the Wolves wanted to bring him back into the fold, even if it meant trading Randle. The Wolves now have their point guard of the future that can play alongside Anthony Edwards in the backcourt.

In 24 games with Minnesota last season, Dosunmu averaged 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 41.4 percent from beyond the three-point line. The hope is that his numbers can grow with a full year in Minneapolis working with Chris Finch and the coaching staff over the course of the offseason.

Canis Hoopus community, what do you make of Dosunmu’s new contract extension? Should he have been paid more or less, or is his value exactly where it’s supposed to be? Let us know in the comments section below.

According to reports, the Timberwolves have traded OAKAAKUYOAK Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the No. 33 pick, effectively paying Brooklyn to absorb Randle’s contract. As part of the three-team trade, Nic Claxton is going to the Chicago Bulls.

Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28. pic.twitter.com/TvADMMNDlg

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

Minnesota attached a first-round pick to move off Randle’s salary, creating additional financial flexibility while elevating Naz Reid into a full-time starting role and opening space to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu.

Brooklyn, meanwhile, takes on a two-time All-NBA forward and moves up five spots in the draft, essentially purchasing a late first-round pick with cap space.

Randle is currently playing under a three-year, $100 million contract extension that he signed in July 2025. The deal pays him a base salary of $33,333,334 for the upcoming 2026-27 season and carries a $35,802,468 player option for the 2027-28 campaign, after which he is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Randle will almost certainly make the Nets more competitive on random Tuesday nights in January. He’s still capable of piling up points, rebounds, and assists when the offense runs through him. But at 31 years old, he doesn’t rocket Brooklyn into a playoff threat, especially after attaching a first-round asset simply to acquire him.

The bigger takeaway is draft positioning. Brooklyn now owns another first-round selection in a talented class, giving the organization another opportunity to add a young contributor or package picks in a future deal. 

There’s also the irony of it all. The player once traded for Karl-Anthony Towns has now been moved as a salary dump with a first-round pick attached. Randle remains a productive regular-season player and will always have a place in Knicks history after helping lead the franchise back to relevance, but his market clearly isn’t robust.

Claxton spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career as an anchor for the Brooklyn Nets after being selected 31st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6’11” center transformed from a raw second-round prospect into a versatile defensive stopper, culminating in a 2022–23 campaign where he led the league in field goal percentage (70.5%) and finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He is two years into the four-year, $100 million contract extension he signed in 2024.

We’ll always be grateful to Randle for coming to New York in 2019 when no stars were willing to. He endured a 21-45 season before Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau took the reins. Julius remains a bull and will surely treat the fans at Barclays to a few 38-point triple-doubles. Will he elevate the Nets to a playoff team? Probably not.

Go Knicks.

Julius Randle may have missed the parade, but he’s returning to New York City. As a member of the Brooklyn Nets, that is.

On Monday evening, NetsDaily welcomedall to the “Sean Marks Trade Zone,” now that there are under 24 hours to go until the NBA Draft. As we noted: “Nine years out the 10 he’s been GM, with the exception of 2022, Marks has made at least one move in said zone.”

One hour later, Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news that the Brooklyn Nets had traded for Julius Randle in a three-team deal that send Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls…

Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN. The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28. pic.twitter.com/TvADMMNDlg

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

So now, it’s 10 out of 11 with a day to go!

The trade calculous goes like this:

— The Minnesota Timberwolves clear cap space to sign shooting guard Ayo Dosunmu (which they did to the tune of $112 million over five later in the evening), and a starting role for Naz Reid. They also acquired Mouhamadou Gueye, a second year player who’s on a non-guaranteed deal, and generated a $33.3 million trade exception good for a year.

— The Chicago Bulls receive a functional center for nothing other than the cost of his slightly overpriced $22 million annual salary.

— The Brooklyn Nets receive a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection making about $69 million over the next two seasons, or just over 20% of the cap. Put plainly: The Brooklyn Nets just paid $27 million over the next two seasons to replace Claxton with Randle. They also got a second first round pick, the No. 28, from the Timberwolves.

Randle will turn 32 years old in November, and just averaged 21/7/5 in his second and final season with the Wolves, during which there was noise about his fit (or lack thereof) in the locker room. With the Nets, Randle gets to return to New York City, where he wore a Knick uniform for five seasons, and attempt to help lead the Nets toward a playoff spot.

The pick the Nets acquired is the result of an exchange of first and a second rounders five places apart: Brooklyn gets the No. 28 pick from Minnesota in return for the #33 pick. As of Monday evening, the Nets currently own the Nos. 6, 28, and 43 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, which begins on Tuesday evening. Minnesota likely agreed to swap picks as a cost-cutting maneuver; the financial difference between any first-rounder and second-rounder, even just five spots apart, is significant. The 28th pick will make a guaranteed $3 million next season. The second rounder carries no such guarantee. Currently, the Nets are looking at eight players making $38.1 million on rookie deals next season, namely the Flatbush 5, Noah Clowney plus the two firsts.

Yossi Gozlan of the Third Apron laid out the Nets financial situation following the trade…

The Nets increase their payroll by $13 million by trading Nic Claxton for Julius Randle and #28.

They have $20.2 million in room remaining and the $9.4 million room mid-level to spend after.

They now have 15 first-round picks through 2033, including two selections tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/gkssN205t5

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) June 23, 2026

The cap figure could go up if, as expected, the Nets do not exercise their team options on Day’ron Sharpe, Ziaire Williams, Josh Minott and Malachi Smith.

As for the Nets going into the Draft, the trade doesn’t necessarily mark the end of their activity in the trade market. They could use the No 28 pick (in conjunction with the 43rd pick and/or of the 10 tradeable firsts they have) to continue moving up in the first round. The trade won’t be finalized for a couple weeks.

Nic Claxton was the No. 31 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and was the only Net to witness the entire rise and fall of the squad. The Clean Sweep signing, the Steve Nash experience, both James Harden trades, the arrival and departure of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, his own leap and subsequent decline, the tanking years, all of it.

One NBA decision-maker said that the trade could be a needed tonic for Claxton. “Claxton looks so disinterested,” the executive told ND. “Needs a new home. Too much losing impacts his mentality. Will be better somewhere else. “

Now, he’s a Chicago Bull. Time flies.

Randle on the other hand is on his fifth NBA team after being drafted by the Lakers in 2014. He played four years in Los Angeles, one in New Orleans, five in New York and the last two in Minnesota. His most productive seasons in terms of individual stats came with the Knicks where over his tenure he put up better 22 points a game, grabbed nearly 1o boards and nearly five assists, winning the Most Improved Player award in 2021. But the Knicks did not win and Leon Rose sent him to Minnesota in a blockbuster trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to MSG. We know how that worked out.

One fan who might need some explaining is Randle’s young son Kyden who was famously depicted exiting Barclays Center in tears back in 2021 after his father’s Knicks lost to the Nets. “I hate them,” Kyden told his mother, pointing at a sign featuring Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden…

.@J30_RANDLE's son does NOT LIKE THE NETS. 😭

(🎥: @KendraRandle_) pic.twitter.com/avkxrfh8Fc

— theScore (@theScore) April 6, 2021

It’s a business, Kyden. Ask Nic Claxton.

• Nets trade for Julius Randle in three-team deal in pre-NBA draft stunner – Brian Lewis – New York Post
• Sources: Wolves to trade Randle to Nets; Claxton off to Bulls – Dave McMenamin – ESPN
• Nets to acquire Julius Randle, first-round pick in trade sending Nic Claxton to Bulls: report ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
• Timberwolves trade Julius Randle to Nets in 3-team trade involving Bulls – Brett Siegel – Clutch Points
• Breaking Down Randle Trade To Nets – Steve Lichtenstein – Steve’s Newsletter

An NBA trade broke late Monday night … but not that one.

As much of the league is awaiting resolution with Giannis Antetokounmpo, a three-team trade has reportedly come through that sends forward Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Brooklyn Nets.

According to ESPN, Randle and Minnesota’s No. 28 selection in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft are headed to Brooklyn for the No. 33 pick — tantamount to a salary dump — while the Nets are shipping center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls.

By trading Randle, the Timberwolves are unloading his $33.3 million salary next season, leaving space for Minnesota to fill out its roster.

BLOCKBUSTER: Giannis Antetokounmpo moves to Miami after Bucks pull off trade with Heat

Guard Ayo Dosunmu, who emerged as an offensive force for the Timberwolves in the playoffs, is set to become an unrestricted free agent once the new league year begins, and the Timberwolves have already made an offer to retain their new star with a five-year contract after they acquired him before the February trading deadline.

Randle, who has spent the past two seasons in Minnesota after being traded from the New York Knicks as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster deal, also has a player option for 2027-28, worth $35.8 million. The 31-year-old averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field in 79 games this past season.

The Nets, who have abundant cap space, add another veteran into their program, and the Bulls shore up their front court after they traded Nikola Vučević in February.

Dosunmu agrees to return to Minnesota on 5-year deal

Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, ESPN reported late Monday night.

Free agent guard Ayo Dosunmu intends to sign a five-year, $112 million contract to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a player option in the fifth season, sources tell ESPN. Timberwolves made it a major priority to lock in Dosunmu after his tremendous postseason. pic.twitter.com/xw93nAUhJt

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Julius Randle trade: Timberwolves, Nets, Bulls engage in 3-team deal

One of the first trade dominos dropped Monday evening, but it wasn’t what everyone was waiting for. Well, everyone outside of Minnesota at least. ESPN‘s Shams Charania announced that the Timberwolves are salary dumping Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, attaching pick number 28 in tomorrow’s draft in order to do so.

The loss of Randle was to be expected.

It was speculated that after his name was included in trade rumors for Giannis Antetokounmpo last February, he had somewhat checked out. It was evident in his play to end the regular season, and even more so in the postseason. If it wasn’t clear that his days in Minnesota were numbered by then, he skipped exit interviews altogether.

The “return” that Minnesota’s President of Basketball Operations, Tim Connelly, for being able to ship out Randle might seem lackluster at first. No matter what your opinion is of Randle and his final months in a Wolves jersey, this is still a multi-time All-NBA and All-Star player who is in the middle of his prime. He had a huge hand in defeating both the Lakers and Warriors during the Wolves 2025 playoff run. Next year, bottom-feeding teams hoping to avoid the “relegation zone” will enjoy the extra regular season wins that the 31-year-old will likely bring. He is set to make a somewhat modest 20% of the salary cap this upcoming year, as well as a player option for the same amount in the 2027-2028 season.

Having to attach a late first round pick doesn’t look great for a guy who was the featured return for recent NBA champion, Karl-Anthony Towns.

That said, it is clear as day that Randle’s fit with this iteration of the Timberwolves had been clunky, and somehow became even clunkier. His lack of consistent effort and focus on the defensive end, as well as his tunnel-vision style of offense, has been maddening for Minnesota fans to watch. He was rendered useless in the final playoff series for the Wolves the last two years. Being able to shed his salary to gear up for bigger moves has to be considered a win.

Minnesota does acquire the 33rd pick of the draft (second round taking place on Wednesday), and that should be of note as well. Will Connelly just send it away for another seven-foot giant, future seconds and cash considerations like he did with the 31st pick last year? Or will he draft a future three-time MVP? 50-50, I’d say.

This now sets the stage for the Wolves to have lots of wiggle room to handle the negotiation of unrestricted free agent, Ayo Dosunmu. A player who Connelly publicly announced as their highest priority this summer. Perhaps most exciting will be the fact that Naz Reid‘s time as a bench player has finally come to an end. Unless the Wolves make another dramatic move this summer, the former Sixth Man of the Year will finally be able to take center stage along with the core of Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.

It’s thrilling to think about what Minnesota will look like now. Reid isn’t without his own flaws, especially on the defensive end. However, advanced metrics has long been favorable to the pairing of Reid and Gobert for multiple seasons now. The Wolves will inevitably be playing with more offensive pace as well.

The future is now.

As trade rumors continued to swirl, Giannis Antetokounmpo took to social media Monday night.

The NBA superstar posted a cryptic message on X, along with a black-and-white photo of himself walking off the court in a Bucks jersey. 

“GOD, I trusted you at the beginning, and I will continue to trust you throughout,” he wrote on the social media platform, with a praying hands emoji and a 100 emoji. 

GOD, I trusted you at the beginning, and I will continue to trust you throughout. pic.twitter.com/BuRHnQS2NQ

— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) June 22, 2026

Antetokounmpo is expected to be traded by the Bucks before the NBA draft begins on Tuesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. 

Things have heated up recently, with the Heat and the Celtics emerging as finalists for Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN. 

The Celtics are reportedly centering their offer around star Jaylen Brown, and the Heat’s offer includes plenty of draft capital, with Miami holding the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft. 

Both teams are among Antetokounmpo’s preferred destinations if he’s traded from the Bucks. 

Brown appeared to break his silence on the trade speculation during a Twitch livestream. 

“To all the people that’s doubted me, that want me to do this, or want me [traded], you’re turning me into a monster,” Brown said during the stream. 

The saga involving Antetokounmpo has been going on for some time, and it may finally come to an end after a bizarre season for the Bucks, which was overshadowed by questions about the 31-year-old’s future in Milwaukee. 

The team finished 32-50, and Antetokounmpo played a mere 36 games due to issues with his groin, calf and knees. 

The relationship between Antetokounmpo and the Bucks clearly became fractured during the course of the season.

Trade speculation started in May 2025 and now has led to Antetokounmpo being on the verge of ending a 13-season run in Milwaukee, where he helped the franchise win an NBA title in 2021 and owns every major franchise statistical record.

With the draft looming, trade rumours are flying once again. By the looks of things, Milwaukee may be the first team to start an “everything must go” sale. After an underwhelming season that ended 11 games behind even play-in contention, the era of Giannis in the Cream City could very well be over.

If he departs, it’s likely the Bucks will try to unload as many older players as they can, starting their rebuild with a stockpile of assets. Picks, young players, and space in the salary book will be at a premium for them. 

Inevitably, other teams are now waiting to see what they can scavenge from this roster to bolster their own. The good news is Toronto might be one of those teams.

Toronto’s need at center was made abundantly clear with a first round exit caused by Jarrett Allen who put Cleveland on his back in game 7. Who better than to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Allen and the league’s other big men than Myles Turner?

Myles is 11 years into his career. He’s pretty solid, playing at least 60 games every season except for two. In his best year, he averaged almost 18 points and 8 rebounds with over 2 blocks a game. He’s a great 3-point shooter, cashing in over 38% on 5.4 attempts per game last season. He’s also a good rim protector and lob threat, and moves well in pick and roll situations:

MYLES TURNER UNLOADS WITH TWO HANDS 😳

🏀 Pacers/Bucks on ESPN
🏆 Winner advances to Championship in Las Vegas on Saturday pic.twitter.com/9ZFVCMP1qr

— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2023

Basically exactly what we need. 

His stint in Milwaukee didn’t do him any favors, as he dropped across pretty much every statistical category in his sole year there. Largely due to the players he had around him and lower usage, but he definitely didn’t look like he did with the pacers, especially with a polished guard like Tyrese Haliburton setting him up. 

He fits our timeline, would have solid guards to set him up, and would likely fill one of the most significant gaps that currently exists. The real question is what we have to offer to Milwaukee. Turner is owed almost 84 million over the next three years, so matching it while still providing value is the biggest hurdle.

Trade Proposal: Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, and a first round pick

Poeltl needs to be a part of the deal to match salary. He’s solid, but his contract isn’t and he doesn’t match the timeline for the Bucks at all. A straight one-to-one doesn’t make sense for Milwaukee.  He could be moved, but there isn’t really anyone in the league that would want him for the money he’s being paid.

Gradey’s year hurt his stock badly, and while it’s more than possible he could bounce back from this, especially with the lack of opportunity he had this year, he is young and fits the timeline and could develop into a solid piece. 

Still, not the most alluring for the Bucks.

Hence the pick. Mikal Bridges pulled five first rounders (but they got a championship so honestly who cares). Harden garnered three, and Gobert was four. Myles is not the caliber of some of those guys, so I would hope one would be the most we’d have to part with. Ideally, it’s next year’s pick though so Toronto is able to shore up other needs in the draft tomorrow.

Only time will tell, but this would definitely be a step in the right direction for the Raptors.