The Knicks are still working through the details of their blockbuster trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, which has yet to be finalized. Why did they choose to go all-in on the 28-year-old big man?
For starters, president of basketball operations Leon Rose was Towns’ representative when he was the head agent at CAA, notes Ian Begley of SNY.tv. Knicks executive William Wesley is also close with the Towns family, per Begley — clearly there’s an affinity between the two sides.
As Begley writes, the Knicks view Towns as an ideal complementary piece to their core roster, particularly on offense with Jalen Brunson. Towns’ presence should create more driving lines for Brunson and make it more difficult for opponents to trap him.
Begley confirms New York has coveted Towns for some time, but trade talks with Minnesota didn’t pick up steam until the Knicks signaled a willingness to include Donte DiVincenzo in the package. Begley isn’t sure why the Knicks changed their mind — they were opposed to dealing DiVincenzo for the majority of the offseason.
According to Begley, DiVincenzo wasn’t thrilled with the idea of playing a reduced role this season after he had a career year in 2023/24. Still, Begley doesn’t think that had much to do with New York’s decision. He speculates that Julius Randle‘s contract situation (he can be a free agent in 2025 if he declines his 2025/26 player option) and Mitchell Robinson‘s injury absence were likely bigger factors.
Here’s more on the two New York-based teams:
- While all eyes will be on Towns with training camp about to begin, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post believes Mikal Bridges is the “most intriguing” player the Knicks acquired this offseason. Bondy projects a starting lineup of Brunson, Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Towns, with Miles McBride likely the team’s sixth man. With major roster changes and some players coming off injuries, Bondy expects the Knicks to look sluggish in preseason.
- Ben Simmons‘ health is the biggest storyline to watch for the Nets as they enter training camp, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Simmons has appeared in just 57 of 246 regular season games over the past three seasons — including 15 in 2023/24 — and is coming off a second back surgery. However, he’s fully cleared for camp and has been one of the team’s standouts in pickup games, sources tell Lewis. Second-year big man Noah Clowney and offseason acquisition Ziaire Williams are two other players who have played well in informal games ahead of camp, Lewis adds.
- In a pair of stories for The New York Post, Lewis examines the other Nets storylines ahead of training camp and provides a rundown of their 20-man roster, which is one player shy of the offseason limit.
NBA title or bust
Bust
My grade for Towns trade
Knicks A
Wolves D
Let’s view in this way
Knicks signed free agent DiVincenzo and trade him for Bridges
Knicks trade Randle for Towns
Adding an average PF, Knicks are capable to defeat Celtics
I would feel a whole lot better with a healthy Mitch at center and Towns at the four. Would also allow Hart to move to sixth man role and deepen the bench. No one wanted to trade McBride earlier in the offseason, now we’ll see if they were right.
Every year is the same story with Ben Simmons, I have to see it to believe it at this point
I won’t believe it even when I see it lol.
Contract year now he likes money!!
Not sure if the team will be better with KAT, but most of Rose’s moves have worked out so far. It’s nice to be able to trust a Knicks front office.
I’m skeptical that DiV expressed dissatisfaction with his prospective role, as it really runs counter to the persona he’s established here and at Villanova. Plus, if Randle was being moved for KAT, DiV would likely still be in the starting lineup.
This is the first deal the NYK have made in the Rose Era that has the fingerprints of WWW (resident AAU BB) all over it. The bullish case for the KAT-Randle swap is real. But the deal comes with a lot of other costs, including an almost complete lack of flexibility going forward. Meaning, it has to work. Never a good way to go into anything, particularly with unreliable parties, such as KAT.
Yeah, because teams who throw random players together always immediately win and never have any issues with team chemistry or how these specific guys play with each other! Haha
Wolves got slightly better, Knicks got slightly worse – depth is everything in this league if you are trying to win a title, I liked the Knicks chances before this trade and had them top 4, but they drop to top 6 with this depth-clearing trade.
These aren’t random players are throwing together. They are top level players. This is what teams do when they’re going for championships. Not sure what your basis would be for them being six. To me they are clearly the second best team in the east. Definitely don’t see in any way, shape, or form that the Knicks got worse here.
I didn’t want Donte to go but it was a risk to take because I don’t know who else the Knicks could have gotten for Randle. Does anyone think trading Randle for Capella better? The Shamet addition could be a sneaky good one to replace Donte.
IMO. Ayton could have been an option as well for the Knicks instead of KAT.
Love the Knicks moves but I think there depth is pretty all over the place.
You’ve got McBride Payne Shamet and Kolek, 4 point guards all backing up your teams best player in Brunson. There’s Mitchell Robinson, I like him as a more physical interior big man, but then you’ve got Precious who can be awkward being a small 5 really. Not much on the wings/in between.
I know it’s not going to be popular but I’d trade McBride and/or Precious while the value is high, considering you have enough depth at both those positions, and look to add some wings. Marcus Morris I think was worth keeping as would picking up a TJ Warren or something who is still a FA I believe
Terrible trade for Knicks… should have kept what they had… Dante coming off a great year and Towns is not that guy that will bring a championship. Good they got rid of Randle though.
Towns is a talented big. IMO his attitude is what needed conditioning. Randle became an all star here. Cause Thibs pushed him to be one. Randle got my respect. I believe Rose and Thibs feel they can help Towns. This team is better with KAT on offense. They are a top team now. (don’t sleep on 2WayBridges). Defense is where they will need to come together. IMO they don’t make this trade. If Towns can’t play D. They have to know they will make Towns better on D. It’s why I would start Avhiuwa at PF. Because Towns can step out on offense. I think they can work well. And defensively Achiuwa will help him. Towns has to rebound better. Achiuwa is a solid reb.
I agree that this will take some time. Defensively is where this team will need to grow. I trust Thibs to get the best out of Towns. KAT is from area. There is a huge Dominican population here. There will be plenty motivation for him to do well.
In Thibs we Trust ……….. year 5 of rebuild coming.
Complicated trade? I guess they’re trying to finalize some things but what are the chances it doesn’t go through that would be devastating for the chemistry of both teams.
Like what the Twolves accomplished here, so many extra layers to it
I think their confidence in Naz is what finally got them to the table