There are a lot of layers to the massive Friday trade that sees Karl-Anthony Towns headed to the New York Knicks, and Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick going to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Neither party wanted to commit long term to Towns or Randle. Towns has four years and about $220 million left on his current deal. The Wolves clearly didn’t want to be stuck with that bill, despite how vital Towns was to last year’s run to the West Finals. Trading Towns with no notice is interesting. Towns spent nine years in Minnesota. The team was very bad for six of those, and there were never any rumors of Towns wanting out. The team has a right to make moves that make financial sense. Just remember that the next time you’re upset about a player asking to be traded.
Randle’s current deal has one year and about $29 million left. He’s got a player option for the 2025-26 season. As soon as the Knicks overpaid to keep OG Anunoby, it was clear Randle’s days as a Knick were numbered. Randle had fallen out of favor with Knicks fans at points, despite putting up consistent numbers. Randle was the team’s best player before Jalen Brunson arrived two seasons ago. No one knew Brunson would turn into an All-NBA player. Randle liked being the team’s No. 1 option, even though it didn’t lead to much success. He’s been known over the last couple of seasons to sulk because of various happenings. The Knicks went on a crazy run without Randle following the Anunoby trade, and advanced in the playoffs without the power forward. The writing was on the wall.
DiVincenzo being added to the trade is interesting. The shooting guard hit some clutch shots for the Knicks in last season’s playoffs. He closed games as the team’s best 3-pointer shooter, and as a secondary playmaker. DiVincenzo last season hit career highs in points per game (15.5) and 3-point shooting (40.1%). Both of those numbers increased in the playoffs. Since the trade happened, reports have surfaced alleging DiVincenzo wasn’t happy with what would have been a reduced role after the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn. DiVincenzo played close to 36 minutes a game in the playoffs — a number that almost assuredly would go down with Bridges’ arrival in the Big Apple.
Having had some time to digest the trade from both sides, this could prove to be a win-win for both teams, from an on-court perspective.
The Knicks now have a likely starting five that somewhat resembles what Boston has when healthy. The Knicks can play five-out with Brunson, Bridges, Towns, Anunoby and Josh Hart. Hart is clearly the worst 3-point shooter of the group but he’s willing to take the shot. Towns likes to brag about his exploits as a 3-point shooter, and as a career 39.8% shooter from 3 it’s warranted. Towns also helps the Knicks’ ball movement. Randle could be a ball stopper much of the time. Opting to take his time getting into his actions and not really looking to pass. Towns Is a get it and go guy who moves off the catch, and a generally good catch-and-shoot player. Towns is a floor-spacing big, which will make Brunson’s life so much easier. And once there’s some continuity there, a Brunson/Towns pick-and-roll should be lethal. Towns has also shown a willingness to accept a reduced role, shown in how he’s handled Anthony Edwards’ ascent.
From the Minnesota side, the Wolves now have a legitimate eight-man rotation. Randle could start at the 4, or he could come off the bench, with Naz Reid getting Towns’ minutes at the 4. DiVincenzo gives Minnesota some much-needed additional punch off the bench, and a secondary player alongside Edwards. The addition of DiVincenzo should also make it easier for Minnesota to ease rookies Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon into the rotation.
Prior to the trade, even without a center, I thought the Knicks could finish as high as the No. 2 seed in the East. With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined at least until December, a fast start could propel New York to home court advantage in the East playoffs. The Knicks are deeper than Philadelphia, and have more talent than Milwaukee, Cleveland and Orlando. The race for the No. 1 seed in the East should be between New York and Boston.
For Minnesota, adding depth in what will be an unpredictable West was vital. Oklahoma City with its additions is looked at as the favorite to snag the No. 1 seed. Denver will contend with its strong core led by reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. After that? There are questions everywhere, but the Wolves belong in a second tier with Phoenix and Dallas. Anything worse than the No. 5 seed should be a disappointment for Minnesota.
The trade ended the offseason in a big way. Media days began today. The preseason starts Friday. Another offseason of twists and turns is over. Now the fun starts.
