After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns is on the move.
Per The Athletic's Shams Charania, the T-Wolves are trading the three-time All-Star to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick via the Detroit Pistons.
Charania added that Charlotte Hornets are also included in the trade as part of a three-team deal. The Knicks are sending salary, including DaQuan Jeffries, and draft compensation to the Hornets in the exchange.
The draft pick is a 2025 top-13 protected pick, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Knicks have acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick via Detroit, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. pic.twitter.com/FafQlY48Y1
SNY's Ian Begley added that the Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat, among other teams, talked to the Knicks about a trade for Randle.
According to The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski, Towns "did not request this trade" and "never has requested a move in nine years" in Minnesota. Towns is also "still processing" the deal, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Impact of the Trade
This is a huge gamble by the T-Wolves coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history and a lot of optimism about their potential going into 2024-25.
Given the amount of money that Minnesota had invested in its big three of Towns, Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, building out the depth was going to be a challenge.
The easiest way for the Timberwolves to remake their roster was always going to be trading Towns, but it seemed like president of basketball operations Tim Connelly was taking a different approach.
Connelly made a shrewd move during the draft by making a trade with the San Antonio Spurs for No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham.
One of the Timberwolves' biggest issues in the playoffs was a lack of bucket getters. They addressed it tonight.
Rob Dillingham
Spot up PPP: 97th percentile
PNR: 89th
Iso: 57th
Off screen: 58th
Catch and shoot: 98th
Pull up: 82nd
Terrence Shannon Jr
Tran: 87th
Spot up: 80th…
That decision to essentially buy a draft pick allowed the Timberwolves to add salary given the confines of the second apron they were operating under.
Minnesota luxury tax bill increases from $56M to $84M with the selection of Rob Dillingham.
An aggressive move for a Minnesota team that returns the same starting 5 but was faced with limited options in free agency. https://t.co/SMM0f9zVpa
Dealing away Towns after making that move seems odd, but there is still uncertainty about the franchise's ownership situation that could be impacting these decisions.
The on-court implications of Towns being traded will be interesting to watch and see how head coach Chris Finch navigates them.
Minnesota Timberwolves' Perspective
Minnesota finished third in the Western Conference on the strength of having the top defensive rating in the NBA (109.0). The team advanced to the Western Conference Finals for just the second time in franchise history before losing to the Dallas Mavericks.
Towns had a solid season with 21.8 points on 50.4 percent shooting and 8.3 rebounds per game in 62 starts. His four-year, $224.2 million extension signed in July 2022 kicks in next season.
Drafted No. 1 overall in 2015, the 27-year-old has been one of the most prolific scoring centers in the NBA since entering the league. He's averaged at least 20 points per game in each of the past seven seasons and is 39.5 percent from three-point range in his career.
Towns's Impact on the Timberwolves
The Timberwolves, after coming off a successful run to the Western Conference Finals, might have been better off keeping Towns, but there's no guarantee their success would have continued. The addition of Julius Randle, who was an All-Star in 2022, is a good start to bolstering their frontcourt. Also, Donte DiVincenzo's skill set of being a solid contributor and a 3-point shooter is an added bonus to the team.
The Timberwolves are going to need to lean on Anthony Edwards, who had a breakout season in 2023-24, to carry the load in the absence of Towns. However, they need to be careful that they're not asking too much of him before he's ready.
Minnesota's Future
The Timberwolves' future is still uncertain, but they're in a good spot to compete for a playoff spot and make a run in the postseason. They still have a strong core of young players, and they've made some smart moves to add depth. The Timberwolves need to find ways to improve their defense, which is their biggest weakness. This trade is going to be a huge gamble, but it could ultimately be the right move for the franchise.
New York Knicks' Perspective
After winning a playoff series in each of the past two seasons, Knicks vibes are as high as they have been in a long time. It helps to have a bonafide star at point guard in Jalen Brunson.
The front office has done a great job of building around Brunson, most notably by acquiring OG Anunoby in a midseason deal with the Toronto Raptors last season. He signed a long-term deal during the summer after the team also brought in Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
Towns will be an interesting fit with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who has a strong defensive style. He has been limited in that area throughout his career, but his scoring prowess will make them a more formidable team on the offensive end of the court.
Towns's Fit with the Knicks
Towns joining forces with Brunson, Anunoby and Bridges, along with Mitchell Robinson, gives the Knicks a dangerous offense, and he's also capable of spacing the floor for the Knicks. He'll likely be a centerpiece on the team and be tasked with helping the Knicks reach their full potential.
The Knicks' Path Forward
The Knicks' stock is high right now, and this is a big play by general manager Scott Perry to get the franchise closer to winning a championship. The addition of Towns to their already impressive roster strengthens their claim for an Eastern Conference title, but they'll need to find a way to get over the hump and finally reach the NBA Finals. However, the Knicks now have a strong core of players and a new-found confidence, and this move will certainly give them a boost in their quest for a championship.
