According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves have reached a deal to trade Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. In exchange, New York will send Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, along with a first-round pick from Detroit, to Minnesota.
Additionally, the Knicks will send DaQuan Jefferies and draft assets to the Charlotte Hornets to free up salary space for Towns. This trade is significant for both teams, each aiming for a championship run this season.
Towns, a four-time All-Star, brings his elite scoring and shooting ability to a Knicks team known for its defense. Last season, he averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds, shooting 41.6% from three-point range. He will team up with Jalen Brunson and new acquisition Mikal Bridges, forming a strong core that could lead the Knicks deeper into the playoffs after two consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
For the Timberwolves, this deal strengthens their depth following a third-place finish in the Western Conference and a run to the conference finals last season. Randle, an All-Star last year, will join Rudy Gobert in Minnesota’s frontcourt, replacing Towns.
Despite playing only 46 games due to injury, Randle averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and five assists. DiVincenzo is expected to play a similar role to the one he had with the Knicks, where he had a career year, averaging 15.5 points and shooting 40.1% from three.