Timberwolves Land No. 33 Pick Isaiah Evans in Julius Randle Trade

Q: Is Julius Randle an All-Star bargain for the Nets or simply an overpaid star past his prime?

Julius Randle looks more like a reasonable short-term bet for the Nets than an overpaid star past his prime, but he is not an obvious bargain. Brooklyn acquired a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward who is still producing at a high level. In his final season with Minnesota, Randle averaged 21 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, numbers that remain strong for a starting power forward. Even if he is no longer at the peak of his Knicks-era production, that output suggests he is still a useful top-tier scorer and secondary playmaker rather than a declining player living on reputation. The contract matters. Randle is due about $69 million over the next two seasons, roughly $33 million annually. That is significant money, but it is not extreme by current NBA standards for a proven veteran who can still create offense and carry usage. Minnesota’s willingness to move him was driven less by a belief that he is washed and more by cap management, roster balance and the desire to re-sign Ayo Dosunmu while opening a bigger role for Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels. There are real risks. Reports around Minnesota pointed to declining postseason impact and some inconsistency, which helps explain why the Timberwolves prioritized flexibility. If Brooklyn expects him to be a franchise-changing star, the deal could disappoint. If the Nets view him as a credible veteran scorer who helps them become more competitive while they reshape the roster, the price is defensible.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 25

Minnesota used a trade with Brooklyn involving Julius Randle to come away with Duke guard Isaiah Evans at No. 33 in the 2026 NBA draft.
Evans enters the NBA after a breakout sophomore season in which he averaged 15.0 points and 3.2 rebounds, shooting 43.3% from the field and 36.1% from three.
Duke leaned on him in big moments: he scored 25 points in a Sweet 16 win over St. John's and added 20 and 32 points in ACC tournament victories.
Scouts view his off-ball shooting as his clearest NBA skill, with Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman comparing his profile to Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins.