While we know the basics of the Timberwolves’ trade of Karl-Anthony Towns trade to the Knicks, we may not yet know everything. After all, this is the NBA, and it takes a lot of moving parts to make a deal work.
What do we know so far? Well, that Towns is headed to New York in exchange for power forward Julius Randle, guard Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick (via the Pistons). Also, Knicks shooting guard DaQuan Jeffries is reportedly headed to the Hornets.
But that’s likely not at all.
“What else is New York sending out in the trade? Because New York is over the first apron, it is not allowed to take back the Towns contract without sending out additional salary besides Randle and DiVincenzo,” wrote Bobby Marks of ESPN. “As Tim Bontemps reported, the Hornets are part of this trade and will absorb additional salary.
“The Knicks and Hornets are still working out the details of who is involved. Similar to when New York agreed to acquire Mikal Bridges in late June, expect more players to be involved.”
Per NBA insider Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Towns is “‘still processing’ this trade, according to a source close to him. But it’s worth noting Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has been publicly very complimentary of him since he left Minnesota — something that’s been noted by Towns.”
Reports surfaced in July that the Knicks had a strong interest in Towns, who played for Thibodeau when Thibodeau coached the Timberwolves. Also, Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Towns’ agent when Rose ran CAA.
Towns and star guard Anthony Edwards have massive extensions kicking in next season and center Rudy Gobert is slated to make max money as well. It was widely believed that Towns or Gobert needed to be traded for the Timberwolves to avoid paying a huge luxury tax bill under the new CBA.
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.
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