Knicks trade Julius Randle to Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns in rare player swap between contenders

One of the most shocking offseason Friday news stories in recent NBA memory: minnesota timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns, reportedly new york knicks Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a protected first-round pick.

Shams Charania and John Krawczynski The Athletic Announcing the news that a deal was coming, then confirming that the deal had indeed happened, rising to the top as the biggest scoop ever in the new post-Woj press world.

The Hornets are also involved in this trade, but it's strictly to make money and acquire a pick to solve their problems.

But will the pick go to Minnesota? Even if you land on the ground, you will be protected, so it is not guaranteed that the message will be transmitted.

• 1-13 of 2025
• January – November 2026
• 1-9 of 2027

…and a second-round pick if he's not sent to the Timberwolves by 2027. So given the Pistons' current situation, it's not even clear that the Timberwolves got a true first-round pick here — you? positive Won't Detroit be one of the worst nine teams in the league in 2027? — So this is at least partially a financially motivated move on Minnesota's part, taking KAT's long-term contract off the books. It had to be aimed at replacing DiVincenzo's manageable downward contract and Randle's (presumably) expiring contract (he has players) with an option next summer of 30 million dollar equivalent):

KAT clearly has feelings on the road, and his thinly veiled subtweet (and subsequent leak about his perspective) is about being transported to the Wolves in the middle of the night right before camp? , or whether it's about bad feelings toward his new destination remains to be determined, but it certainly confirms that we'll be looking at and thinking about the off-court ramifications of this trade for some time as well. I am.

What was your first reaction? Pour one for the New York Superfriends era. not evenly villanova When the Knicks acquire the star center they've been looking for, connections could prevent DiVincenzo from being sent to Minnesota to match a contract. New York could manage to replace his contributions on the court, but will they replace the chemistry points he brings to the locker room? to be decided.

Secondary reaction? It's very strange to see two teams that made it to the conference finals trade players to each other, seemingly motivated by money on one side. Typically, star trades involve a player heading to another team in a pick-heavy package, with no team releasing a former All-Star to save money while continuing to compete.

However, the Timberwolves retain Western Conference Finals core KAT (paid over $200 million over the next four years), Rudy Gobert ($43 million this year, $46 million next year), and Anthony Edwards. Because of this, they were to face paying a historic luxury tax. (I'm trying to start my own max extension (nearly $50 million annually). And while there's a nasty ownership battle going on between both teams where neither seems to have the cash to spare, keeping two big frontcourts means having to pay for an expensive second team. Apparently they decided it wasn't worth the apron fine. And the hope is that Randle can replicate KAT's skill set well enough (and offload Towns' contract to keep the rest of the frontcourt together).

As for the Knicks, they appear to be fully committed to bringing a title to New York at all costs, including Jalen Brunson's unprecedented contract sacrifice. Once they get over the sad feelings of losing one of the Villanova Infinity Stones, Towns gives them exactly the kind of spacing and offensively skilled big that can lift their offense to a level where they can break through in the Eastern Conference. He will give it to you. He's certainly an expensive final piece, but he's also someone who could be highly qualified for the role New York needs him in. And last year was historically expensive and deep, so boston celtics The team showed they can't spare a dime as the organization gears up to win a title. At least at first glance, New York State knows this and would appear to be a secondary priority for Minnesota.

This breaking news story may be updated with more information and analysis as developments continue.