Knicks Obtain Karl-Anthony Towns Through Three-Team Trade

Karl-Anthony Towns was acquired by the Knicks on Wednesday as part of a three-team trade that also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Charlotte Hornets.

While the agreement was made on Friday, the completion took a few days due to the NBA's new trade rules, preventing Towns from participating in the Knicks' first two days of training camp in Charleston, South Carolina.

Knicks receive: 

• Karl-Anthony Towns (via Timberwolves)
• Draft rights to James Nnaji (via Hornets)

Timberwolves receive:

• Julius Randle (via Knicks)
• Donte DiVincenzo (via Knicks)
• Keita Bates-Diop (via Knicks)
• Future first-round pick (from Knicks via Pistons)

Hornets receive:

• Charlie Brown (via Knicks)
• DaQuan Jeffries (via Knicks)
• Duane Washington Jr. (via Knicks)
• 2 future second-round picks (via Knicks)
• 2025 second-round pick (via Timberwolves)
• Cash considerations

After practice in Minnesota, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch reminisced about his time with Karl-Anthony Towns, highlighting the warm welcome he received upon being hired midway through the 2020-21 season to replace Ryan Saunders, with whom Towns had a close bond.

“Performance-wise, he’s one of the most skilled players I’ve ever coached, no doubt about it. He’s an incredibly talented player who made significant contributions during last year’s playoffs. That success wouldn’t have been possible without his impact on both ends of the floor,” Finch remarked. “He’s just a genuinely good person and a big asset to the community. It’s always tough to see a player like him go. While the human side isn’t often considered when making such decisions, it’s the first thing that comes to mind once it happens.”

The Knicks are eager to integrate Towns into their center position, believing his outside shooting will be crucial for a team aiming for a championship this season.

“He possesses a unique blend of playmaking, shooting, rebounding, and defending, all combined with his size, which allows him to compete at a rare level in this league,” Knicks President Leon Rose stated.

In the trade, the Timberwolves acquired three-time All-Star Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo from the Knicks, along with Keita Bates-Diop and a first-round pick.

The Knicks, in turn, sent Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, and Duane Washington Jr. to the Hornets, along with two second-round picks, and obtained the draft rights to center James Nnaji.

Towns arrived in Minnesota as the No. 1 pick in the 2015 Draft and departs from a team that appears to be on the rise, having reached the Western Conference Finals last season, despite Towns being limited to 62 games due to injuries.

To the Timberwolves Family:

Nine years ago, I arrived in Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home, and its people would become my family. Your love, support, and unwavering loyalty have fueled my journey and inspired me to be… pic.twitter.com/PP1pGzvGcx

— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) October 2, 2024

Now a 7-footer, Towns has averaged 22.9 points and 10.8 rebounds while shooting 39.8% from beyond the arc. He leaves behind a promising All-Star duo with Anthony Edwards to team up with Jalen Brunson in New York.

“Nine years ago, I arrived in Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home and its people my family. Your love, support, and unwavering loyalty have fueled my journey and inspired me to be the best player I could be,” Towns expressed on X, addressing the Timberwolves family.

“Thank you to my teammates, coaches, and the entire Timberwolves organization for the countless opportunities and experiences. I’ll cherish the friendships I’ve made and the battles we’ve fought together.”

Towns reunites with Tom Thibodeau, one of his former coaches in Minnesota, after the Knicks parted with two key players to acquire him.

Julius Randle, who was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2021, led the Knicks to their first playoff appearance since 2013. Under his leadership, the Knicks made the postseason in three of his five seasons after struggling in previous years. The team reached the Eastern Conference semifinals the past two years, although Randle missed the playoffs last season due to shoulder surgery.

“Julius played a major role in establishing the foundation and culture of our team, and we cannot thank him enough for what he did for this city and organization, both on and off the court,” Rose stated.

Donte DiVincenzo, who averaged a career-high 15.5 points last season with the Knicks, set a franchise record with 283 three-pointers, ranking third in the NBA.

For the Timberwolves, DiVincenzo is a crucial addition that enhances their depth on the wing. Finch noted that the decision to trade Towns wasn’t primarily financially driven, even though they were on track to exceed the second apron of the luxury tax.