Monica McNutt recently joined “SportsCenter” to discuss the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves finalizing a major trade featuring All-Stars Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns, as confirmed by sources on Friday night.
The agreement will send Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota, while Towns will join the Knicks. New York aims to bolster their roster with Towns, addressing their need for a center, especially since Mitchell Robinson is sidelined for the first two months of the season due to ankle surgery. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are looking to enhance their shooting and versatility after a strong playoff run last season.
As part of the trade, Minnesota will also receive a 2025 top-13-protected first-round pick from New York, which comes via the Detroit Pistons. The Charlotte Hornets will play a role as the third team in the trade, expected to receive draft compensation to facilitate the deal.
Negotiations between the Knicks and Timberwolves intensified over the summer, especially after bringing Charlotte into the discussion in recent days. However, the finalization of the trade is anticipated to take a few days.
Towns, who had just returned to Minnesota for the upcoming training camp, was taken by surprise by the trade, according to a source familiar with his sentiment. Growing up near New York City, he is expected to step into the Knicks’ starting center role, fulfilling a critical requirement for the team.
The 28-year-old Towns is a four-time All-Star with impressive career averages of 22.9 points and 10.8 rebounds. Last season, he managed to average 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, showcasing his scoring capabilities and shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. Known for helping lead Minnesota to the playoffs last year, Towns reunites with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached him in Minnesota from 2016 to 2019.
On the other hand, Randle is coming off a season where he averaged 24.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists before suffering a dislocated shoulder. He has been rehabilitating and was expected to be ready for training camp.
Randle, who signed with the Knicks in 2019, has had a standout career in New York, making three All-Star appearances and contributing to the team’s playoff success over the past few seasons.
Both players have posted similar statistics over recent years, indicating their significant impact in the league. Randle is on a contract worth $28.9 million this season with a $30.9 million player option for 2025-26. New York’s inability to reach a contract extension with Randle hinted at their willingness to explore a trade.
DiVincenzo, who joined the Knicks last summer, has impressed with his shooting and will be valuable for Minnesota, especially after the loss of Towns. The Knicks’ decision to trade him means the anticipated synergy of the “Villanova Knicks” will not materialize.
To comply with salary cap rules, Charlotte’s involvement was necessary for the trade’s completion. With the deal finalizing, Charlotte stands to gain draft capital that they could have potentially held onto for future transactions.
Following the trade, the Knicks’ title odds have improved, moving from +800 to +700 according to ESPN BET. The Knicks and Timberwolves are set to face off in a preseason game in New York on October 13 and will meet again in the regular season on December 19 in Minneapolis.