Before news of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade broke on social media on Friday night, Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly visited Towns at his Minnesota home to let him know that he was being traded to the Knicks, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
As Krawczynski details, the fact that the Wolves moved off one of their highest-paid players didn’t come as a total surprise, given the team’s high payroll in 2024/25 and beyond, but the timing of the move was “an absolute thunderbolt that no one saw coming” after the team spent the offseason lauding its roster continuity and chemistry.
According to Krawczynski, the Wolves had an increasingly difficult time envisioning a scenario in which they were able to keep their existing roster intact beyond the 2024/25 season. Sources tell The Athletic that if Towns had stayed in Minnesota long-term, it likely would’ve meant parting with fan favorite Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Getting two rotation players – Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo – in exchange for one will create more flexibility going forward for the Wolves, especially since Randle has the opportunity to reach free agency in 2025. While it doesn’t sound like there are any immediate plans to flip the newcomers – Krawczynski says Randle has “plenty of advocates” in Minnesota and the team has long had interest in DiVincenzo – their contracts should make them easier to move on the trade market, if necessary, than Towns was with four years and $220MM left on his deal, Krawczynski observes.
Here’s more on the Towns trade, which is still in the process of being finalized:
- The Knicks repeatedly called the Timberwolves over the years to express their interest in Towns, but those discussions never really evolved into full-fledged negotiations until now, says Fred Katz of The Athletic.
- While the “Villanova Knicks” won’t get to take the court this season – with DiVincenzo sent to Minnesota before Mikal Bridges has played his first game as a Knick – the club is excited about the way that Towns will complement Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby, league sources tell The Athletic. Katz adds that Towns’ plus-minus numbers helped convince the Knicks to roll the dice on him, as the Wolves have consistently been better with him on the court throughout his career.
- There’s not expected to be any lingering tension between Towns and former Wolves head coach Tom Thibodeau. Towns has publicly spoken about harboring no ill feelings toward Thibodeau after their up-and-down time together in Minnesota from 2016-19, and a source close to the Knicks’ head coach says he feels the same way, per Katz. “If a guy can play,” that source said, “Thibs wants him.”
- Although Towns and Randle have seven All-Star nods between them, both stars come with their share of question marks related to their injury histories, contract situations, and defense. Michael Pina of The Ringer considers the risk that both sides are taking on by making this move and questions the timing of the agreement.
- In his analysis of the deal, John Hollinger of The Athletic notes that the Knicks addressed their center problem by acquiring Towns, but run the risk of creating “enough other issues that the cure may be worse than the disease.” Specifically, the deal will hurt the team’s wing depth and create major long-term cap challenges, Hollinger writes.
- James L. Edwards III of The Athletic also isn’t 100% sure that the trade will make the Knicks a better team. Edwards acknowledges that Towns is the best player in the deal, but points out that he won’t address the team’s two biggest short-term needs: frontcourt defense and secondary play-making.
- ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Chris Herring, and Bobby Marks take a look at what the move means for both the Knicks and the Timberwolves and explore the biggest remaining question marks related to the deal.
As a Knicks fan KAT gives the Knicks flexibility, play outside, shoot the 3, unclog the middle for Brunson and Hart…OR Play the post, can move him to the 4 when Mitchell comes back, in the playoffs they can play together.. personality wise he fits in easily, know THIBS, his former coach. KNICKS didn’t want to resign Randle, needed a center… BIG LOSS IS DIVINCENZO , not Randle… Knicks short on wing players now… Offense will flow better with KAT… DUECE will have to step up as a play maker… Tyler Kolek will have to be developed off the bench more quickly now as a play maker, facilitator…. contrary to Thibs sitting rookies… high payroll requires player development… KNICKS CAN CHALLENGE THE CELTICS IF HEALTHY…( need Mitchell back healthy)…
Big IF he has played what one injury free year in the last five?
Mitch injury pushed this. I think the Knicks got a deal. The contract was an issue. But Knicks can handle that. In Thibs I trust. He wanted this. Means he can help KAT on D and rebounds. Playing close to home has to be motivating. So he should be receptive to Thibs.
I expect a big year from Randle. KAT gives Knicks that. Then they will go to Finals.
did “thibs” really provide that much to KAT while he was coaching the wolves with his rebounding and d?
You should get that info. Jimmy was against a top Rook not having a killer instinct. It was more the team. Plus he was the GM. And that was too much mío. Thibs is all old school coach. Larry Brown type. Those sometimes get the wrong impression. Thibs can help KAT. Only reason I believe they made trade. KAT has to be in
KAT was green last time
This is a good trade for both teams. Towns will pull a big man out of the paint because you can’t guard him with anything but taller wings, otherwise he just shoots over people. That in turn opens the lane for Brunson so he can drive more effectively and Towns makes a great release valve if the drive stalls. Last season’s playoff run should be an indication that Brunson needs some help on offense and Towns can score.
Defensively he holds his own against other perimeter bigs like Porzingis and can guard wings that they just shoot and pass. If they need a rim protector they can shift him down to PF.
Conley is good PG but he’s lost a few steps and the Wolves needed another playmaker and Randle has averaged 5 assists per game since coming to New York. He’s not much help on defense but that’s what they’re paying Gobert and McDaniels to do. He can post up and give them a change of pace on offense and while he doesn’t shoot well if the matchup calls for it then they can play a three guard lineup by swinging Edwards to SF and bringing in DiVencenzo off the bench to play SG. Long term it also gives Minnesota more flexibility financially as Randle’s contract is both cheaper and shorter. He isn’t there yet but Edwards has a chance to be the best or one of the best players in the NBA and the Wolves need to do everything they can to keep a competitive roster around him for years to come.
I agree cause Randle has a contract yr. So he’s going to prove it to everyone. He will play well with Rudy. Donte gives them the shooting. Antman has more freedom. Minny is still a top team. With an extra pick.
Wolves are smart to get out from under that awful contract they gave to Towns.
Is it actually possible (if some cash is involved) a Andrew Wiggins-Julius Randle deal could happen?
Ok nevermind, the always-great Luke Adams helped figure this out
“(just focusing on the math…)
It would depend in part on how much of his trade bonus Randle gets. If he doesn’t waive any of it, his cap hit will increase by $4MM+ and make it much trickier.
He also has some unlikely incentives that count toward the apron but not the cap. The Warriors would have to consider them for hard cap purposes, which is another complication.
As with this deal, it would probably require a third team to take on some salary from the Warriors.”
Being that GSW has been “in on” every star this offseason from Lauri to PG, its very fair to review this trade with that knowledge. GSW can pounce on anyone at any time.
as the season wears on.. wonder if brunson will begin to regret giving his “home town discount” to KAT ?