New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves Agree on Blockbuster Trade

Image Credit: Mitchell Leff, Getty Images

Late Friday night, a major blockbuster report came through from The Athletic reporter, Shams Charania, that the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves were close to making a trade featuring big man Karl-Anthony Towns, forward Julius Randle, and guard Donte DiVincenzo. Moments later, the trade was announced as being agreed upon.

The internet went into a frenzy waiting for the full package. In the end the trade details are as follows:

Minnesota Timberwolves receive:

            Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a future first-round pick from the Detroit Pistons

New York Knicks receive:

            Karl-Anthony Towns

The trade was a shock to all, seemingly including Karl-Anthony Towns who posted this on X:

…

— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) September 28, 2024

Towns, who has spent his entire career in Minnesota since being drafter No. 1 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, will now go to New York to lock down the center position for a team with NBA Finals aspirations. The Timberwolves have multiple max contract players and with their trade for Rudy Gobert during the 2022 offseason, there was no way they would move on from him. To avoid becoming a second apron team, this is a move Minnesota had to make. Additionally, a pick from the Pistons is one that should be coveted given how that organization has performed in recent years.

Image Credit: Posting and Toasting, SB Nation

For New York, they have officially blown up the “Nova Knicks” before a game was even played, by trading DiVincenzo. The Knicks now have their center of the future who also can contribute heavily in the offensive game. Pairing Towns alongside Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart will make for an explosive group who should be able to compete with the Boston Celtics. They lose depth by moving away from Randle and DiVincenzo, but they do get that center play they were lacking last year.

A surprise trade like this, especially one that involves two teams who are the elite of their respective conferences, does not happen often. Could this be a sign of things to come for the league as the second apron becomes more and more prevalent?