The NBA offseason is never short on drama, and Monday night delivered beyond any doubt with two massive moves. Many will be analyzing the Giannis Antetokounmpo dealt, and rightfully so, but for the Los Angeles Lakers, it will actually be the Julius Randle trade that has more direct implications.
Shams Charania reported on X: "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."
Randle is owed around $33.3 million in 2026-27. That is a bill that will now be picked up by the Brooklyn Nets, freeing the Minnesota Timberwolves of the burden in exchange for turning their early second-round pick into another first. The Nets did manage to get off Nic Claxton's contract in the process, but their financial books have changed a lot after this three-team trade.
NBA cap expert Keith Smith now projects the Nets to only have $36.1 million of cap space available after the multi-time maneuver here. For what it is worth, the Chicago Bulls' available money shrinks to $32.5 million as well. Suddenly, the Lakers are head and shoulders clear of yet another competitor in the Austin Reaves sweepstakes.
Nets' threat of stealing Austin Reaves is growing even smaller
The Lakers currently project to have more cap space than any other NBA team ahead of free agency with $52.1 million. Smith clarified that number includes Reaves' cap hold and an opt-in from Deandre Ayton.
Considering the earlier reports of it taking a max contract for Reaves to truly consider leaving the Lakers, the Nets may have just effectively removed themselves from the race. Brooklyn may not even be able to currently satisfy the offer that was previously rumored to be on its way to the 28-year-old star.
This all puts the Lakers firmly in the driver's seat. Not only do they have the money that other teams are willingly giving up on, but they could even avoid overpaying their star if they are only truly bidding against themselves.
Both sides have displayed the public desire for a reunion already. Luka Doncic has made it not-so subtle that he wants his backcourt partner back, too. Perhaps the Nets saw all of that and thought better than to try their hand at luring away Reaves.
After the Atlanta Hawks made moves on Aaron Wiggins and C.J. McCollum, there was a feeling of comfort with believing one potential suitor for the Lakers guard was withdrawing. The Randle trade creates a similar ease.
Perhaps the Nets have more moves up their sleeve to reposition themselves for Reaves. However, without the opportunity to significantly outprice the Lakers, it is tough to think they can make a strong enough sales pitch in this sweepstakes.
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