The Timberwolves and Knicks are close to a blockbuster deal that would send Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. The Knicks’ package would center around Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski (Twitter links).
The two parties are still working through the details but talks have intensified over last 24 hours, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets. Minnesota is also receiving the first round pick that the Pistons owe the Knicks, according to Steve Popper of Newsday (Twitter link).
The Knicks are sending DaQuan Jeffries and draft compensation to the Hornets to facilitate the deal, Charania adds (Twitter link). However, Jeffries is not currently on New York’s roster, so how he fits in to the deal remains to be seen.
It’s a stunning turn of events right before the start of training camp. New York was already involved in a major deal this offseason, trading for the Nets’ Mikal Bridges.
The addition of Towns would give the Knicks more flexibility with their lineup but would come at a large long-term cost in terms of payroll. Towns’ monster four-year, $220MM extension kicks in this season. He’s due to make $49,205,800 this season and his salary escalates over the life of the contract.
Randle has a $28,939,680 salary this season and has a $30.9MM player option next offseason. DiVincenzo is in the second year of a four-year, $46.87MM contract, including a $11,445,000 salary this season.
New York can’t take back more salary than they’re sending out since it’s over the $178.1MM first apron, while the Timberwolves can’t take more money than they’re sending out, cap expert Yossi Gozlan points out (Twitter link).
The Timberwolves could save $26.5MM in payroll and luxury tax penalties, though they’d still be over the second apron, Gozlan adds in another tweet. Randle also had a trade bonus worth $4.1MM, according to Gozlan (Twitter link).
Long-term salary cap implications would certainly factor into Minnesota’s decision, if the deal goes through. Towns has also suffered a number of injuries during his career and that could also be a factor in the Timberwolves’ thinking.
The Pistons, Hawks and Heat are among the other teams the Knicks talked to regarding potential Randle trades, SNY TV’s Ian Begley tweets.
Towns would give the Knicks a dynamic frontcourt scoring option to complement All-Star guard Jalen Brunson. He could also fill the center spot, which is in flux with Mitchell Robinson sidelined by injury and Isaiah Hartenstein signing as a free agent with Oklahoma City. Towns could also slide over to the power forward spot at times when Robinson returns.
Randle would replace Towns as the Timberwolves’ power forward, while DiVincenzo would provide Minnesota with a solid 3-point shooting wing. He’s coming off a career year in which he averaged 15.1 points.
WHAT?!?
Knicks are going all-in at this point now.
I mean I kinda hate this trade for both teams. The Wolves need more shooting not less around Gobert/Mcdaniels. MIN will have zero spacing in a starting 5 of Conley/Ant/Gobert/Randal/Mcdaniels. Also that pick will never convey until its seconds.
Thibs likes defense and rebounding and he is going to f***ing hate KAT. He will also probably over play him till hes hurt again.
Just major lose lose here…
No spacing other than a lights out .442 on 5.3 for Conley and a respectable .357 on 6.7 from ANT.
Yeah 2 shooters isnt spacing man. Most teams want 4 shooters on the floor at almost all times now days. You go down to 3 when the super defensive units are out, and try for 5 whenever you can.
Ant was complaining about no room in the lanes before and that was with KAT one of the best shooting bigs out there instead of Randle whos sometimes at 31%.
Teams will just pack the paint since the guys initiating the offense who would be the drive and kick players are the only 2 shooters you have to guard past 20 feet.
The team that just beat the Wolves in the WCF had one great shooter and one good shooter in the starting lineup and both of those guys initiated the offense for Dallas.
Part of the reason they went so far was DJJ was shooting way better than he used to and PJ was striping them in the playoffs so that it was really only 1 non shooter. They also play spread floor and have one of the absolute best double team draw and kick players ever.
Chapman, dead-on. You hit on all the problems, especially on how it hurts Ant. Ultimately, Ant is a slasher, not a shooter.
Thibs already coached KAT…I am sure he approves the trade if does go down
With this team he has had defense first rim protecting O board big men and never plays without one. KAT is none of those things, and is super foul prone when he is the center.
Do you really feel if Thibs didn’t want Kat they would have listened to him?
I agree. It looks good on paper but KATs game will not age well. Donte doesn’t deserve this. This was gonna be a magical Villanova reunion. I would not do this
Yeah Donte didn’t deserve this i hope the deal falls through
Now if the knicks 4 starters are Brunson, bridges, og, and KAT, who’s the 5th guy? Precious? McBride?
Could be Hart. More D and Reb from him to complement the other D as Brunson and Towns do most of the scoring.
You are all nuts. Stop using your hearts and use your heads – this an absolute highway robbery by the Knicks. A top 5 big man – yes w some injuries for two above average role players – one of whom is hurt all the time. I get that NY lives Vinnie but the NBA is a business and they go from a nice team with no chance to win a championship to a legit contender.
An average player that finished 8th in MVP voting a couple of years ago and averaged 24 ppg last year and in prior years. Yup, average.
KAT is a top 5 big man?
I guess you could argue he is now a top 5 Big man in the East… I guess.
KAT is often hurt, plays more like a 3 than a 4 or 5. Plays below average Defense and cannot hold down the paint without substantial help.
I really don’t care about DV and Randle, but they at least play D.
The fact that Minney is willing to move KAT should scare the crap out of the Knicks. Minney is probably happy to get DV and Randle for KAT. Ask yourself…if your analysis is accurate, why would Minney trade KAT? According to you u he is a top 5 big in the game, would you trade a top 5 big in the game? Nope…
Personally I cannot wait for Embiid to start eating him up and messing with him, but yeah, I guess the Knicks win the trade if your logic is anywhere near accurate.
If Randle can play defense he has yet to show it in the 10 seasons he’s played in the NBA. Towns has actually been a decent defender since the Gobert trade but old narratives are hard for casual fans to look past.
Randle is not a good defensive player. Not sure where you’re getting that he plays good defense. The fact that Minnesota is willing to move KAT doesn’t necessarily have to be something that scares the Knicks. Have you considered perhaps they might be wrong? And the Knicks have several great defenders so there will be a lot of switching off.
Hart
We thinking any other players or picks involved?
Randle DV and Detroit’s 1st
+8M in salary so McBride DaQuan and at least one more. Everyone but MB is either over 11M or under 3M and they need close to 9M more outgoing.
Everyone always trying to include McBride in trades. Trading DeVincenzo they are going to need McBride for depth. No way I could see him being part of this trade.
Hart just extended and cant be traded so find me 9M on the roster without sending out McB 4.2
Tell me why nobody’s floating Miles McBride as part of this trade then?
Just look at the Knicks payroll sheet man there are only a couple ways it can go. They also cant trade some like Payne because he just signed so its Sims McB Dequan. They cant send out less than they take back so 9M more…
This will answer it for you:
Yossi Gozlan
@YossiGozlan
It sounds like the New York Knicks will make up the rest of $8.8 million outgoing salary required by sign-and-trading free agents.
This would allow them to complete the deal without sending out an additional significant player under contract.
For example, including DaQuan Jeffries, along with Charlie Brown Jr. and Duane Washington Jr. on slightly above minimum salaries, and Keita Bates-Diop, works.
Any contract in a sign-and-trade must be for three years, but only the first needs to be guaranteed.
Assuming he can stay healthy, Makes the Knicks the team to beat in the East anyway.
The trade would make the Knicks better, but Boston is still the team to beat.
Protected 1-13. Pistons will be making that pick.
Not if they land Cooper Flagg in next years draft.
It’s that very pick bro….2025 protected 1-13.
What’s going on
Wow that Nova boys team really lasted a long time…
One in one out
I hope the deal hits a snag, it will be fun to see the Nova crew play together again.
Going to miss Dante
Yeah he went loco in the playoffs…
*Donte
Dante and IHart were big for us but you basically traded them for Bridges and KAT it’s all or nothing this year I like the moves if KAT stays healthy…
I don’t blame the Knicks for making waves, but I worry these two players are kinda the same problem. Randle is disappointing and so is KAT, but if KAT is ever going to be “him”, then Thibs’ll do it. I’m more curious how losing Dante will be, but I guess they think Bridges softens that blow. Randle with Ant is intriguing….
KAT has a loooootttttt more future money than Randle. Also KAT anchoring a D has never worked…
NY media will destroy KAT if he continues the disappearing playoff acts. I get they advanced with Randle out but I think Randle is better all around.
Donte was huge though and losing him too
Bridges now Donte’s minutes were going to get cut a lot anyway.
You do realize that Thibs has already been his coach??
Kat isnt an answer for the knick.they need defensive center.donte is a very good bench.knick need him
Kat can play some 4 and the Knicks still have Robinson. Plus, with the wings the Knicks have, there is less of a need for a defensive anchor. And while Towns is certainly not that, he did improve somewhat on that end of the floor last season; how much of that was the Gobert effect is TBD.
Sheagoodbye : mitchell “made from glass” Robinson wont plays 50+games. Kat will plays at 5. I think they will put IHart at 4. I think better if knicks keep donte,give the wolves 1st. Add more center,defensive center.
Wrong
Tuck 2 : i hope im wrong,im not knicks fan, but i love thib. I hope knicks with thib can get the ring
I don’t think KAT is that much better than Randle…
He is tho
Knicks needed more spacing; Randle and Robinson was never going to cut it. And Randle’s next contract was coming up, so this buys long-term security. He has his flaws, but I understand the thinking.
Nova Knicks lasted 2 months.
As a Celtics fan…please trade for Towns .
is there a more overrated and weak big in the nba?
Maybe Porzingis
Well played.
You think referring to the guy who just won a championship with the Celtics and when healthy was at an all star level…that is “well played.”
LOL Knick fans are freakin hilarious.
You beat Philly fan this year for top level myopia.
You go ahead and start Brunson, Hart, Bridges and KAT and tell me how it looks in April.
Well played. OMG you guys are foolish.
18 brother. soon to be 19.
Celtics thank you for your teams impatience and poor strategy.
The Celtics we’re going to win a championship regardless of Porzingis. He barely even was a factor in the playoffs.
18
Kristaps Porziņģis comes to mind.
Of course he does, he just won a ring.
KAT is soft, soft, soft.
But go ahead and celebrate. It will be the only time this season.
Yeah, he won a ring thanks to his teammates.
That went to the WCF last year
yes and KAT was the reason they went that far? this is your argument?
KAT plays ZERO defense, in fact his is a problem bc he gets into foul trouble all the time.
He is SOFT, like baby S soft. He will not control any part of the paint because he hates playing in the paint.
KAT is also Embiids personal B. So yeah get him. Trade the guys who are tough and will play Defense.
Ask yourself why is Minnesota willing to do this deal. Bc they know KAT is soft.
You sound defensive. Or maybe scared…
Massive salaries and taxes aside, this will good for the KNICKS.
Randle’s injury last season showed that his iso/slow ball will be out of place in a Brunson-led offense …… KAT would be a better fit on the offense.
Randle posting up, while Ant free roams – that’s probably the scenario that Connelly is going for …… it can work IF Randle’s a willing passer.
That’s a big IF.
Kat is also injury prone and his defense is garbage. Have fun digesting that contract.
The Knicks are looking at his three-point shooting, and the additional spacing he provides.
Knicks are killing it.
Brunson Bridges OG KAT and then either Hart or Robinson depending on match ups.
McBride Payne Shamet Morris Precious all for depth
Don’t hate it for Minny either.
Conley ANT McDaniels Randle Gobert
Dillingham DiVancenzo NAW Shannon Jr Ingles Reid and Garza
Not as fun an exciting but a very tough team.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they made another move or two just to even out the depth chart (little thin at the 4) but I like it
OMG Donte must have complained about being a bench player. This is not cool. JB must be pissed.
Bye bye KAT!! You won’t be missed I promise!
Enjoy Randle and his nonexistent 3 point shooting. Not to mention his horrible ball handling.
Ball handling? I don’t think Randle was brought in to be the point guard…
OK, so when you watch basketball, the only player who handles the ball is the point guard? Yeah OK.
I would not do this deal… period. Donte is worth way more than his contract status. When he was a GSW he was such a presence. Especially when S hit the fan. He controls himself so well. If you want to off Randle then send him for draft picks and keep Donte. KAT is not the answer. If Robinson was healthy this deal doesn’t materialize. This feels more desperate than smart. Why?
Im 100% agree with u. Just keep donte.give minny 1st. Honestly,i think kat is not the answer too
KAT and Thibs together again…
That worked out sooooooo well last time…
If this goes through I’m gonna have sore ribs for weeks…
Can NY somehow trade for Jimmy Butler now?
Well so much for NY being a contender. Now they can compete for biggest train wreck. What a disappointment.
Well, if you say so, then it must be true…
I say so too. Knicks got worse. A lot worse. KAT is fools gold.
Well, if you say so then I know it’s not true.
Hopefully Knicks can include another team , or another player so DV can stay a Knick. He was huge for them , had a breakout season.
They can not match KATs 50M salary without him or heart and at least 3 of the young guys including McB
and I believe that Harts untradable because he just extended.
Everyone was saying the same thing with the nets trade and the Knicks were able to figure out how to include guys nobody were anticipating. I would not assume McBride being part of this trade. The Knicks like him a lot. Nobody is reporting him as being part of of this trade. And who are “three of the young guys” you’re referring to?
Really like this trade for Minnesota. They dump KAT and his weakness under pressure, whiny attitude and bloated contract. They get a sixth man in Donte and a better match at the 4 for their roster makeup with Julius.
Randle doesn’t have to be a veteran leader or a number one option, and he will absolutely thrive without those expectations. Randle has better handles, a better drive to the basket and better passing ability than KAT.
All that plus a first round pick is a steal.
NY front office executives overthought this one. KAT will have a hard time adjusting from the expectations of Minnesota to the harsh reality of MSG.
Randle can’t hit a three-pointer and he’s horrible at handling the ball. I’m quite sure this trade is not a steal for the Timberwolves. Also, that first round pick is heavily protected and may turn into two second round picks. There’s pluses and minuses for both sides.
Randle can bring the ball up and initiate offense. KAT can barely run. Yes KAT is a better distance shooter. And that’s literally it. Bridges will out rebound him on the Knicks.
Randle is a terrible ball handler. He can create his own shot, but he’s a terrible ball handler. And people can talk about KAT’s defense, but Randle is not a good defender either. And he insists on being the focal point of an offense when he is not good enough to be the number one on any contending team.
I agree with everything you said except the 1st round pick. It will end up being a 2nd round pick unless Detroit makes the playoffs pretty much.
Funny thing is if Brunson didn’t take that big discount I bet you this trade doesn’t go down. Knicks can more easily afford Towns’s long-term cap hit as a result.
WTF NOW THE KNICKS HAVE THEIR CENTER
TWOLVES SO CHEAP
I’m surprised the Knicks would trade Donte, as good as he was for them last season.
And KAT, I’m not sold on him. As a Dubs fan, I was glad they didn’t trade for him last year. I don’t think he would be able to keep up with or fit into their motion system.
apparently wolves aren’t keeping randle … any ideas ??
Maybe going to Miami or Atlanta ?
The Knicks have a stretch 5!
Gross, Randle sucks, move him immediately
I assume starting 5 is
Brunson
Og
Bridges
Towns
Robinson
Knicks really need to get their front court depth handled. Biggest need for the team especially relying on Towns and Robinson
Really limited options but wouldn’t hurt to bring in Yurtseven, Azubuike, Met into camp see what they got.
Ahahahahahaha this trade made both teams worse
Chucktoad ,
Chapman’s take that “the pieces don’t fit” and that the Wolves now have a spacing problem is the media consensus.
KAT spread the floor, which helped Ant, but also helped with the problem that Rudy and McDaniels can only play inside. With Randall, the Wolves have 3 starters that can’t shoot and can only play inside.
Wolves’ opponents want Ant to shoot, not drive, and they play off him. His 3pt % is deceiving in that way.
This wasn’t a deal made to help Ant. The paint is going to be congested.
Don’t forget we also just resigned Marcus Morris he will provide some nice bench depth behind McBride Precious and Mitch if he isn’t the next out the door
This is a solid move for the Knicks. Love it. Local guy as well and doubt he’ll want to leave after getting a taste of the Mecca. Rose has done his job and did it well. Early vote for exec of the year as he built a team to compete, if not beat the Celtics. They can score. They can D up. The can shoot the three. They can run. They can play half court if necessary. They have three players that can pull 20 per, one at 15, and another pushing a triple double when he’s on the court. Bench lost some depth, but gained a critical position improvement and can put Robinson back on the bench as he comes off it with McBride, Prince, and perhaps Kolek now gets some minutes as that door potentially opens for him.
The wings can play D but interior defense is going to be a problem for the Knicks and they are still thin at center.
Once Robinson is healthy, I wonder how much he and Towns might be on the floor together. Robinson is a big part of the interior defense.
once Robinson comes back is more like if/when. Unfortunately he hasn’t been very durable. If the plan was to dump Randle the knicks should have done it before the trade and just kept Hartienstien.
Divincenzo got blindsided. KAT better toughen up quick.
I like Divincenzo but the Twolves got fleeced here. Randle and Gobert together is awful spacing for Anthony Edwards.