Timberwolves Reported Three-Team Trade Could Clear Path For Minnesota To Target This Celtics Star originally appeared on NESN.
Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With less than 24 hours to go before the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft kicks off, a significant trade has taken place that could have implications for the Boston Celtics.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday night that the Minnesota Timberwolves are trading Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade. This trade will send Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, with the Timberwolves also acquiring the No. 33 pick.
The trade has nothing to do with the Celtics, but the next move could. Minnesota opened up a $33 million trade exception, and Yahoo Sports NBA insider Kevin O’Connor thinks Derrick White could fit that exception.
“The Timberwolves will have a traded player exception worth $33 mil,” O’Connor wrote on X. “Who fits into that? Derrick White, who has recently been rumored as a target for Minnesota.”
The Timerwolves will have a traded player exception worth $33 mil. Who fits into that? Derrick White, who has recently been rumored as a target for Minnesota.
Also worth thinking about: Trey Murphy, Jrue Holiday, Dejounte Murray, and Myles Turner for players in that same range. https://t.co/pa7LXoqyjF
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 23, 2026
The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski reported on Monday that the Timberwolves have shown interest in pursuing White.
“Minnesota has been most aggressive in pursuing White, the Celtics’ defensive mastermind who has the experience and the savvy to help Edwards and the Wolves break through in the West,” Krawczynski wrote. “White turns 32 next month and saw his 3-point shooting percentage drop considerably this season, but so far the Celtics have rebuffed the Wolves’ advances.”
Celtics fans will now have to keep an eye on whether Boston rebuilds its starting backcourt from last season, with possible trades involving White to Minnesota and Jaylen Brown elsewhere.
About the Author
