Nuggets rival trades former All-Star, signs key guard

Three-time All-Star Julius Randle, who was huge against the Nuggets, was traded to Brooklyn on Monday

Jun 23, 2026, 6:00 AM

Watch: Why haven't the Nuggets made any moves? | 8 mins

Three-time All-Star Julius Randle, who led the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves in points during their six-game series win over the Denver Nuggets in the first round two months ago, was traded to Brooklyn on Monday, according to multiple reports.

Randle, the big man coming back as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade to the New York Knicks, was part of a three-team deal this time that sent Nic Claxton to Chicago. The Wolves got off Randle’s contract in exchange for moving down a few picks in this week’s draft.

The Wolves instantly used the freed-up money to sign guard Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year contract. Dosunmu got hurt in the series but was a nuisance and big-shot hitter.

It’s just the latest in Minny boss Tim Connelly’s shrinking in size of the once huge Wolves roster — an attribute that was needed to upset Denver in the 2024 playoffs. In 2026, the T-Wolves were more reliant on ball pressure defensively and rim pressure offensively to handle the befuddled Nuggets.

As Randle did during the playoffs against the Nuggets, he was basically a 20-point per game scorer the last two years in the Twin Cities. His departure marks a shift within the Wolves. Getting off his contract for not much may be a win in the board room but on the hardwood it’s one less shot-creator and maker on a team that will already be without the other guy they got back for KAT — starting point guard Donte DiVincenzo, who tore his Achilles in the playoffs against the Nuggets.

The Wolves now have a ton of money below the second apron so they should have a few more moves coming as they shape their team this summer.