Current:Home > MyKnicks trade for Karl-Anthony Towns in blockbuster deal -FundGuru
Knicks trade for Karl-Anthony Towns in blockbuster deal
View
Date:2025-04-13 01:40:15
The New York Knicks continue to build a roster that can contend for an NBA championship in ways the franchise hasn’t seen in at least two decades.
The Knicks have reached a deal to acquire center-forward Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, a person with knowledge of the trade told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the trade is official.
The Knicks plan to send Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick to the Timberwolves as part of the blockbuster trade just as training camps are getting ready to open for most teams.
The Knicks will also trade DaQuan Jeffries to Charlotte.
New York is intent on competing with the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics for the Eastern Conference title. The Knicks have not been to the Finals since 2000 and have not won a title since 1973.
Last season, they were 50-32, led by All-Star Jalen Brunson. But injuries derailed their playoffs, and they lost to Indiana in the conference semifinals.
Grading the trade for the Knicks
The Knicks get a formidable big man in Towns, who is a four-time All-Star, including last season, and averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and shot 50.4% from the field, a career-high 41.6% on 3-pointers and 87.3% on free throws.
For Towns, this is a return home. He was born in Edison, New Jersey, and played high school basketball at St. Joseph in nearby Metuchen, New Jersey. Towns, 28, was the No. 1 pick out of Kentucky in the 2015 draft.
He will give the Knicks a versatile inside-outside offensive game to go along with Brunson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, who the Knicks acquired from Brooklyn in the offseason.
Grade: B+
Grading the trade for the Timberwolves
The Timberwolves give up a valuable player who embraced the city, community and franchise. The Timberwolves won 56 games last season, second most in franchise history, and lost to Dallas in the Western Conference finals.
In the big picture, the Timberwolves move off of Towns’ contract, which has four years and $220.4 million remaining on it, and get Randle, who can become a free agent after next season or pick up his player option at $30.9 million for 2025-26. Either way, it’s financial relief for the Timberwolves, who plan to lower their luxury tax bill.
Randle averaged 24.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season but played in just 46 regular-season games and missed the playoffs with a dislocated right shoulder.
DiVincenzo has developed into a solid contributor and 3-point shooter, averaging 15.5 points and shooting 40.1% on 3s in 2023-24.
Grade: C
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
veryGood! (4)
Related
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Dwyane Wade shares secret of his post-NBA success on eve of Hall of Fame induction
- 'Should I send the feds a thank-you card?' Victor Conte revisits BALCO scandal
- Jordan Love efficient but deep ball needs work in Packers' preseason win vs. the Bengals
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Tale as old as time: Indicators of the Week
- Illinois Supreme Court upholds state’s ban on semiautomatic weapons
- Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Sean Dawkins dies at 52, according to Jim Irsay
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Woman arrested after missing man's corpse found inside her Ohio home
Ranking
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- A cherished weekend flea market in the Ukrainian capital survives despite war
- Historic Maria Lanakila Catholic Church still stands after fires in Lahaina, Maui
- These states are still sending out stimulus checks
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Video shows deadly end to Connecticut police chase as officer shoots man in vehicle
- Massachusetts man pleads guilty to bomb threat aimed at then-Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone pulls out of world championships due to injury
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
50 essential hip-hop songs to celebrate 50 years: Grandmaster Flash, Jay-Z, Outkast, more
Violent threats against public officials are rising. Here's why
California judge who’s charged with murder texted court staff that he shot his wife, prosecutors say
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Malaysia warns owners of LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches could face jail time
Home Depot employee fatally shot in Florida store, suspect is in custody
Luke Bryan talks his return to Vegas' Resorts World: 'I'm having the most fun of anyone'