The New York Knicks have officially announced the completion of a trade that brings All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks also acquired the draft rights to James Nnaji from the Charlotte Hornets as part of a three-team deal.
The Knicks will send Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a future first-round pick to Minnesota. In return, the Knicks traded Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr., and two future second-round picks to Charlotte.
Knicks president Leon Rose expressed enthusiasm about Towns joining the team. “We are beyond excited to welcome Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks family,” Rose stated. “Karl-Anthony brings a skill set that is unique to the game of basketball.”
Rose emphasized Towns’s combination of playmaking, shooting, rebounding, and defending. He noted that Towns’s size allows him to compete at a high level, which is rare in the NBA. “Karl-Anthony has demonstrated throughout his career to be a high-caliber player and person on and off the court,” Rose added.
The president of basketball operations also expressed gratitude toward outgoing players. “I want to sincerely thank Julius for his contributions to both the Knicks organization and our community,” Rose remarked. He praised Randle as an All-Star and acknowledged his tireless work ethic.
Rose highlighted Randle’s role in establishing the foundation and culture of the Knicks. “We cannot thank Julius enough for what he did for this city and organization both on and off the court,” he said.
DiVincenzo was also recognized for his impact. “Over the last year, Donte not only captivated the city with one of the most iconic shots in Knicks history, but also immediately bought into the culture we were building here,” Rose said. He wished all traded players well in their future endeavors.
Towns, 28, brings impressive stats to New York. Last season, he played 62 games for the Timberwolves, averaging 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. His shooting was notable, with a field goal percentage of 50.4% and a three-point shooting percentage of 41.6%.
Towns’s shooting prowess is underscored by his five seasons averaging over 20 points with at least 50% shooting. He ranks second to only Kevin Durant in such seasons since 1979. In January 2024, he scored a career-high 62 points in a game against the Charlotte Hornets, showcasing his scoring ability.
Drafted first overall by the Timberwolves in 2015, Towns has established himself as one of the premier big men in the league. He leaves Minnesota ranking first in club history for three-pointers made and second in several key statistical categories, including points and rebounds.
Alongside Towns, the Knicks also acquired James Nnaji, who was selected 31st overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Nnaji has spent the last three seasons with FC Barcelona, averaging 2.9 points and 2.0 rebounds over 110 games.
As the Knicks move forward with their new roster, the addition of Towns is expected to strengthen their playoff aspirations. With the trade finalized, New York fans are eager to see how Towns will impact the team in the upcoming season.
