Reports: Knicks acquire Karl-Anthony Towns from Wolves
In a significant offseason NBA trade, the New York Knicks acquired All-Star power forward Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, as reported by multiple media outlets on Friday night.
According to reports, the Timberwolves will receive All-Star forward Julius Randle, guard Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round draft pick. ESPN states that the draft pick will be a top-13 protected 2025 first-rounder, previously owned by the Detroit Pistons.
To balance the salary exchange, a third team, the Charlotte Hornets, will be involved in the trade, per ESPN.
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Towns, 28, is entering the first year of a four-year, $220 million contract extension. Randle, 29, is set to earn $28.9 million in the 2024-25 season and has a player option for $30.9 million the following season. DiVincenzo, 27, has three years remaining on his contract, totaling almost $36 million.
This trade follows the Knicks' acquisition of Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets earlier in the offseason. New York is looking to improve upon their 50-32 record and Eastern Conference semifinals appearance last season.
The Timberwolves finished last season with a 56-26 record, just one game behind the best record in the Western Conference, and advanced to the conference finals.
Towns, a four-time All-Star, averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds last season. In his nine-year career, all with the Timberwolves, he has career averages of 22.9 points and 10.8 rebounds.
Randle was limited to 46 games last season due to a right shoulder injury. He last played in January and had surgery on his shoulder in April.
The three-time All-Star averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the 2023-24 season. In his career with the Los Angeles Lakers (2014-15 to 2017-18), New Orleans Pelicans (2018-19), and Knicks (2019-20 to 2023-24), he has averages of 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
DiVincenzo had a career-high 15.5 points per game last season, along with 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. In his career with the Milwaukee Bucks (2018-19 to 2021-22), Sacramento Kings (2021-22), Golden State Warriors (2022-23), and New York (2023-24), he has averages of 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
