The Knicks have finalized their trade for Timberwolves center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns, roping in the Hornets to help facilitate the deal and make salaries match.
Per Bobby Marks of ESPN, New York will receive Towns and Hornets center James Nnaji, Minnesota will receive power forward Julius Randle, guard Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick, and Charlotte will receive New York guards DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown Jr. and Darius Washington, as well as draft picks.
Marks noted that the Hornets will also receive 2025, 2026 and 2031 second-round picks as part of the deal. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves’ first-rounder from the Knicks is via the Pistons and top-11 protected. The Hornets intend to waive Washington, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
The trade has not yet become official.
Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks last season, shooting 50.4% from the field, 41.6% from on 3-pointers and 87.3% from the free-throw line.
He joins a Knicks team that already features the likes of guard Jalen Brunson and forwards Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby.
Randle, 29, appeared in 46 games in 2023-24, averaging 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks while shooting 47.2% from the floor and 31.1% on 3-pointers.
He signed with the Knicks in the offseason of 2019 after playing for the Pelicans during the 2018-19 season. He averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks for New York.
DiVencenzo averaged a career-high 15.5 points last season, missing just one game.
“(DiVincenzo’s) 3-point shooting, in particular, will be a welcome addition for the Wolves, particularly as they lose one of the best shooting big men in the league in Towns in this deal,” wrote Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
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