NBA Exec Thinks Timberwolves Will Trade Karl-Anthony Towns This Summer

February 17, 2024

A Western Conference executive who spoke to NBA insider Howard Beck of The Ringer thinks the Minnesota Timberwolves will trade Karl-Anthony Towns this summer.

Towns and Anthony Edwards have enormous extensions kicking in next season and Rudy Gobert is slated to make max money as well.

Towns or Gobert have to be traded for the Timberwolves to avoid paying a massive luxury tax bill under the new CBA.

“The Minnesota Timberwolves—now leading the West at 39-16—have soaring expectations and a soaring payroll that will almost certainly have to be reduced soon to avoid a massive luxury-tax bill under the new CBA,” Beck wrote. “The most likely solution? A trade of Karl-Anthony Towns. ‘I think it happens this summer,’ said one Western Conference exec.”

The Timberwolves signed Towns to a four-year, $221 million extension in July 2022. KAT will make $49.4 million next season.

Edwards signed a five-year, $204 million extension last offseason. He’ll make $35.3 million next season.

Finally, Gobert signed a five-year, $205 million extension with the Utah Jazz in December 2020. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year will make $41 million next season.

If the Timberwolves don’t go on a deep playoff run this year, rumors about a Towns trade will get louder. Edwards is untouchable in trade talks since he’s only 22 and Gobert wouldn’t have the same trade value as Towns, who is a gifted offensive player.

A four-time All-Star, Towns is averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 51.7% from the field, 43.7% from beyond the arc and 87.8% from the free-throw line. He has 20 double-doubles.

The New York Knicks will always be linked to a Towns trade since their president, Leon Rose, used to be Towns’ agent at CAA.

The Timberwolves drafted Towns with the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. While Towns is averaging 23.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks with Minnesota, the franchise hasn’t won a playoff series.