Ben Staker
Sports Editor
On Friday, Sept. 27, the New York Knicks shocked the NBA world by acquiring four-time all-star Karl-Anthony Towns in a three-team trade.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the three teams involved in the blockbuster trade are the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Charlotte Hornets. The Knicks are acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns, the headliner of the deal. The Timberwolves will acquire Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a top-13 protected first-round pick via the Detroit Pistons. The last team involved in the trade, the Hornets, is acquiring DaQuan Jeffries, salary, and draft compensation from the Knicks.
What makes this trade so interesting for the Knicks and Timberwolves is that both teams are viewed as championship contenders by most NBA fans. For both of them to trade players who were so pivotal to their respective teams’ success last season isn’t something that you see every day.
With that being said, I think the Knicks walk away from this trade as clear winners. That’s not to say the Timberwolves did badly here, but Karl-Anthony Towns is the best player in this trade. This addition for the Knicks doesn’t just put them among the best teams in the Eastern Conference, it makes them one of the best teams in the entire league. Adding a player with Towns’ skill set to a lineup that’s already set to feature Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and O.G. Anunoby allows the Knicks to compete with anyone in the entire league.
Looking at this trade from the Timberwolves’ perspective, I think it makes them better too. Julius Randle is a three-time all-star, and while he’s coming off shoulder surgery, he still gives the Timberwolves a true power forward. They no longer have to play Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns out of position. I believe this was a key factor in the deal. The Timberwolves are also acquiring Donte DiVincenzo, who broke out with the Knicks last season averaging 15.5 points per game. He will likely join reigning Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, eighth overall pick Rob Dillingham, and 27th overall pick Terrance Shannon Jr. on the bench to create one of the league’s deepest rosters.
Overall, I see this trade as a win-win scenario for both teams. The Knicks and Timberwolves both got better by making this trade. When the dust settles and emotions aren’t running so high, I think more people will realize this. Who knows, maybe we’ll see these teams play each other in the finals this season.