The New York Knicks needed a center — and they just traded for one of the best offensive centers in the game.
The Knicks reportedly agreed to a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves, a deal broken by Shams Charania and John Krawczynski of The Athletic. This is ultimately a three-team trade involving Charlotte to stretch the cash, and Minnesota will also get a protected top-13 first-round pick in 2025 (via the Pistons).
The Towns camp would be blindsided and stunned by the news. after nine seasons in Minnesota.
Regardless, this is a massive win for the Knicks, who were already considered contenders and now add one of the best centers in the game. While coach Tom Thibodeau will be frustrated with his defense, Towns can put buckets around the rim and stretch the floor from 3. He is an offensive force (perhaps only behind Nikola Jokic in today’s NBA). He can start this season at five and when Mitchell Robinson returns from injury around Christmas this will give New York as good a center rotation as any in the league.
The Knicks, already title contenders, have improved on paper. They pose a legitimate threat to the Celtics at the top of the East (even if they lost some guard depth).
The big question: Is Towns mentally ready for an intense, physical Tom Thibodeau team? KAT’s reputation is softer than that, and he will be asked to play a role more reminiscent of Rudy Gobert in Minnesota. That said, Towns previously played for Thibs in Minnesota and the coach has had nothing but kind words for the center in recent years.
Minnesota is making this trade for two reasons. First, Randle as the four next to Gobert as the five keeps the Timberwolves serious contenders this season (although Naz Reid at the four and Randle off the bench is a better fit). Second, they gain quality guard depth with DiVincenzo. Minnesota remains a threat to win it all.
However, Minnesota will be prohibitively expensive in the years to come — no matter who the owner is — and it will save money if he doesn’t re-sign Randle. Minnesota was poised to become the most expensive team in the league, and due to the new CBA’s second tax apron, remaining a contender would be a problem. That could make Randle a free agent this summer, or he could go for $30.9 million and test the 2026 market.
NBA training camps open next week, but the blockbusters are already making headlines: The NBA is back.
