Surprise a few weeks before the resumption in the NBA, with a major trade between the Knicks and the Timberwolves.
Thunderclap in the small world of the NBA. Minnesota and New York have agreed to a trade, with Charlotte helping to finalize the deal. Information relayed Friday by the site The Athletic and confirmed by multiple other sources, pending formalization. Number 1 in the 2015 Draft, Karl-Anthony Towns goes to the Knicks. Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo go the opposite way and join the Timberwolves, who also receive a first round of Protected Draft top 13 from Detroit in 2025. DaQuan Jeffries goes to Charlotte, with Draft rounds.
A trade that may surprise the Twin Cities side. If he asked questions at the start, the “KAT”/Gobert tandem seemed to have found the right fuel during the past season, with a Conference final at stake. It seems that the T-Wolves have favored salary flexibility in order to keep the rest of their roster unchanged and to be able to build over time around their new star, Anthony Edwards. All while recovering a strong winger who averaged 24 points and 9.2 rebounds in the person of Randle, obviously less skillful by far than Towns and who often had injury problems, his shoulder last season, but who has a shorter and less expensive contract. DiVincenzo will bring a lot off the bench. A trade that can be imagined in the medium term.
New York candidate for the title?
Remember that Karl Anthony Towns, who is coming off a season with 21.8 points, 41.6% from distance and 8.3 rebounds and 3 assists, is in the first year of a four-year, $224 million contract. , the last season being a player option. Julius Randle is entering the third year of a four-year, $117 million contract, again with a player option for the final season. Finally, Donte DiVincenzo signed a four-year, $50 million contract in 2023.
For the Knicks, it’s less bench depth and questions knowing that Towns – who was obviously the first surprised by this trade – does not a priori meet Tom Thibodeau’s requirements in terms of defense. With the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and the injury of Mitchell Robinson, and knowing that competition is tough in the East with Boston, Milwaukee and Philadelphia in particular, NYC has bet on talent to strengthen position 5, with Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby on the wings and still Jalen Brunson to lead the charge. A trade that could allow the Knicks to aim high this season. Very high? Time will tell if he had a winner in this trade. However, we will undoubtedly see the results in New York first.
