The Minnesota Timberwolves have confirmed the trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks. According to a source, the Timberwolves will receive Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in exchange, along with a first-round draft pick.
Towns, selected first overall by the Timberwolves in 2015, has spent his entire NBA career with the team. He shared a post on social media indicating his thoughts on the trade.
This move brings Towns back to his roots in New Jersey and allows him to reunite with coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached him during his early years in Minnesota.
CBS Sports recently ranked Towns as the 38th best player in the league for the upcoming 2024-25 season, highlighting his achievements as a four-time All-Star. Despite an injury that sidelined him for part of last season, Towns managed to average over 21 points and eight rebounds per game.
In the trade, the Timberwolves acquire Randle, a three-time All-Star power forward, and DiVincenzo, known for his shooting ability. Randle, who was drafted seventh overall in 2014, has spent the last five seasons with the Knicks, averaging 24 points and over nine rebounds last season before undergoing shoulder surgery. DiVincenzo has played for multiple teams, including the Knicks, and excelled with a 40% shooting rate from three-point range last season.
The Timberwolves, coming off a strong season with a 56-25 record and a Western Conference Finals appearance, are set to start their preseason schedule on October 4 against the Lakers, with regular-season play beginning on October 22. Towns is expected to return to Target Center on December 19 when the Timberwolves host the Knicks.