KAT Moves to New York
While it still technically isn't confirmed yet, it looks as if Timberwolves icon Karl-Anthony Towns will be heading to the Big Apple, for a quality package being sent back to Minnesota. My instant thoughts and grades are below:
Minnesota Timberwolves: A-
Traded: C Karl-Anthony Towns
Received: F Julius Randle, G Donte Divencenzo, Lottery Protected 1st via DET
This is Anthony Edwards' team now.
Despite the unusual nature of this trade, I understand it. Minnesota was completely jammed at center, with three near All-Star players at the position. With Rudy Gobert locked into a virtually untradeable contract and Naz Reid emerging as the best bench player in the league on an extremely team-friendly deal, Towns became the odd man out. While it always stings to trade a franchise icon who has been with the team for nearly a decade, Minnesota saw the writing on the wall and knew it was time to move in a different direction. KAT’s contract was simply too large and severely limited the Timberwolves' flexibility to maintain a solid roster or make upgrades across the team.
It will be interesting to see how the new acquisitions fit into Minnesota’s roster.
Julius Randle is a 20-point-per-game scorer and should help minimize the impact of Towns' departure on the offensive end. He is also underrated in terms of efficiency, shooting 47% in 46 games during the 2024 season. However, there are some potential downsides. Randle is heading into his age-30 season and is a ball-dominant player, much like Anthony Edwards. Additionally, he's a subpar defender and playmaker, but the Timberwolves should have enough talent in those areas to compensate for his shortcomings.
Donte DiVincenzo would be the main loss I'd be upset about if I were a Knicks fan. He had a breakout season last year, averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 40% from three. On top of that, he's an elite defender and will be joining an already formidable Minnesota defense led by 4-time DPOY Rudy Gobert.
New York Knicks: C
Traded: F Julius Randle, G Donte Divencenzo, Lottery Protected 1st via DET
Received: C Karl-Anthony Towns
To be honest, I don’t see how this trade made New York significantly better, if at all.
The Knicks' culture has thrived on hustle, grit, and determination, and while Randle didn’t necessarily embody that, DiVincenzo absolutely did. In my opinion, the Knicks would have been better off targeting Kevin Durant, as the Suns desperately need draft capital—something New York has in abundance—and Durant remains an all-time great superstar. It’s also worth noting that Towns has missed nearly 73 games over the past two seasons, which raises durability concerns.
On the positive side, the Knicks now boast one of the league’s top offensive rosters. With Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, and the newly acquired Towns, they have a lineup capable of scoring at will. Additionally, they’ve brought in a true star center who can help combat the elite big men in the East like Embiid, Porziņģis, Adebayo, and others.
Only time will tell if this trade pays dividends for either team and ultimately helps them hoist the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.