After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns is heading to the New York Knicks. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Timberwolves are trading the three-time All-Star to the Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round draft pick from the Detroit Pistons.
The trade, which also involves the Charlotte Hornets, sees the Knicks sending salary, including DaQuan Jeffries, and draft compensation to Charlotte. ESPN’s Bobby Marks reports the first-round pick is a 2025 top-13 protected selection.
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.
Per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Towns did not request the trade and is still processing the news. Despite never seeking a move in his nine years in Minnesota, the deal represents a significant shift in his career. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN adds that Towns is still absorbing the impact of the trade.
The Knicks see Towns, 28, as a key piece who will complement their existing core talent, providing them with a strong opportunity for sustained success, according to league sources. His scoring ability will bolster the Knicks’ offense, alongside stars like Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges, all part of a rising Knicks team that has high hopes of championship contention.
This trade is a major gamble for the Timberwolves, who are coming off one of their best seasons in franchise history. The team finished third in the Western Conference and boasted the NBA’s top defensive rating. Despite their success, balancing their financial commitments to Towns, Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert was becoming increasingly challenging. Trading Towns allows the Timberwolves to retool their roster and address depth issues, though it raises questions about their future direction.
Towns, drafted No. 1 overall in 2015, has been one of the NBA’s most prolific scoring centers. Last season, he averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50.4 percent from the field. His four-year, $224.2 million extension, signed in July 2022, begins next season.
As Towns moves to the Knicks, his fit with defensive-minded head coach Tom Thibodeau will be interesting to watch. While Towns has been limited defensively throughout his career, his offensive skill set makes the Knicks a more formidable force on that side of the court. With Mitchell Robinson in the paint (though currently injured), Towns will likely thrive in his role.
For the Knicks, the trade represents a major push toward their first championship since 1973.