Timberwolves Knew They Would Have To Trade Karl-Anthony Towns Or Someone Else Soon

Timberwolves president Tim Connelly met with Karl-Anthony Towns at Towns’ home to inform him of the trade to the Knicks, and it’s something Minnesota had been pondering for some time, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

You can probably thank the new collective bargaining agreement and salary-cap rules for this deal.

Now, the Timberwolves will aim to build around star guard Anthony Edwards following perhaps their best season in the 36-year history of the franchise.

“As the Timberwolves analyzed their cap situation and looked at the landscape across the league, it was getting harder and harder for the Wolves to see a scenario where they could keep this team intact beyond this season, team sources said,” Krawczynski wrote.

“Edwards is beginning a five-year max contract this season, (Rudy Gobert) has two years remaining on his max and Towns was starting a four-year, $220 million max extension this season. Add to it big raises for (Jaden McDaniels) this season and (Naz Reid) last season, and the Wolves had entered the dreaded second apron that brings with it luxury tax penalties and obstacles for team-building meant to strongly discourage teams from crossing that threshold for more than a couple of seasons.”

The Timberwolves are landing power forward Julius Randle, guard Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick (via the Pistons) from the Knicks.

“If they were going to relent to New York’s wishes by finally giving them Towns, DiVincenzo had to be part of the package, team sources said,” Krawczynski wrote. “They see him fitting in right alongside Edwards in the backcourt and his 3-point shooting will be crucial for a team that just gave up its best outside shooter. DiVincenzo can play point guard when Mike Conley needs a breather and can come off the bench to provide firepower and rugged defense as well.”

Per 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 Edwards have massive extensions kicking in next season and 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.