The New York Knicks made a shocking and sensational trade for Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns on Friday, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo the other way. However, the deal has yet to be made official, meaning Tom Thibodeau declined to comment when asked about it on Monday.
KAT was spotted in New York wearing a Knicks hat on Monday. The trade really came out of nowhere and certainly caught Towns by surprise, considering he was happy in Minnesota and never asked to be traded.
With Isaiah Hartenstein leaving as a free agent and Mitchell Robinson nursing an injury that will likely keep him out until the new year, the Knicks needed a center. KAT brings a lot to the table and is definitely a do-it-all big man, which should benefit New York. It’s also a Thibodeau-Towns reunion because Thibs coached the Timberwolves from 2016 to 2019.
A third team also had to be involved to facilitate the deal, as the Charlotte Hornets were involved. They received DaQuan Jefferies, a draft fee, and cash. However, many criticized the Knicks for giving up too much for KAT, with Randle and DiVincenzo proving to be important pieces in the Big Apple. Randle’s name has been in the trade rumors, but DiVincenzo seemed safe.
His departure also means we won’t see the Villanova Knicks in action, after NY also traded Mikal Bridges, a former teammate of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and DiVincenzo at the college level this summer.
Towns played primarily at power forward in 2023-24 thanks to Rudy Gobert at five, but now he’ll be the Knicks’ go-to center over Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa. KAT is one of the best shooters ever and will bring a different element to this offense.