Monday, ESPN’s Shams Charania announced via social media that the Chicago Bulls entered into a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets, which principally returns center Nic Claxton to the Bulls. Acquiring Claxton fills a major roster hole for the Bulls over the next two NBA seasons.
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
The Bulls are acquiring Claxton’s salary via their well-regarded cap space. Claxton has two guaranteed years left on a four-year $97 million contract signed with the Brooklyn Nets during the 2024 NBA offseason.Â
Also noteworthy is the fact that Claxton’s contract is structured with a descending salary, which will pay the center $23.3 million for the 2026-27 NBA season and $21.1 million for his expiring 2027-28 NBA season, according to Spotrac.
Claxton’s NBA career has been a slow burn over his seven seasons, all with the Brooklyn Nets. Drafted 31st overall in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft, Claxton became a full-time starter in his fourth season with the Nets during the 2022-23 NBA season, which afforded Claxton modest NBA Defensive Player of the Year buzz.
The Bulls ultimately are acquiring a center whose reputation starts on the defensive end of the court. Claxton holds a career average of 1.6 blocks per game.Â
While on the offensive end, Claxton’s most reliable offensive contribution has been functioning as a lob threat at the rim, which has contributed significantly to his career 62.2% field goal percentage, according to Basketball Reference.Â
Claxton in the 2025-26 NBA season also found increased playmaking opportunities in his game, finishing the season with a career high 3.7 assists per game.
Projecting Claxton’s impact on the rebuilding Bulls
The addition of Nic Claxton immediately adds defensive depth to the Bulls center position that arguably hasn’t been visible in the franchise since the days of Pau Gasol. Â
Claxton is a bona fide rim protector and mobile enough to defensively switch to the perimeter, which should be welcome news for both Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. For Buzelis, having a big he can switch with should allow him to be more aggressive as a help defender or on the ball, knowing he and Claxton can take turns block-hunting. Â
In Giddey’s case, having Claxton in the Bulls' backline should give Giddey more confidence in being a point of attack defender if he gets matched up on the ball. Additionally, the offensive presence of Claxton should allow Josh Giddey an opportunity to develop as a pick-and-roll ball handler.
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