Duane Washington Jr.’s summer journey took a surprising turn when he became a key part of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Washington, who signed with Partizan Belgrade in August 2024, found himself back in the NBA spotlight in October. The guard had an average of 6.5 points in two ABA League games before returning to the U.S. to join the Charlotte Hornets for two preseason games.
On October 2, 2024, Washington signed with the New York Knicks and was immediately included in a three-team trade. The blockbuster deal involved the Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Hornets, with Towns heading to New York. Washington, along with several other players, was part of the package sent to Charlotte. The Hornets acquired him, Charlie Brown Jr., and DaQuan Jeffries, along with several draft picks and compensation.
In return, the Timberwolves received Keita Bates-Diop, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, and a lottery-protected first-round pick. The Knicks secured the rights to Towns, who had been on their radar for years, as well as the draft rights to James Nnaji.
Fred Katz of The Athletic broke down how the whole deal happened. Washington’s inclusion in the trade wasn’t about roster balancing. The Knicks used his contract, along with Brown Jr. and Jeffries, to help make the deal financially viable under the NBA’s salary cap. Partizan was reluctant to release him. A $600,000 buyout was required for him to leave Partizan, with an additional $1.6 million fee if Washington didn’t return to the Serbian team within 48 hours of being waived by the Hornets.
The Knicks’ front office, known for its creative approach to navigating the league’s complex financial regulations, relied on Washington and other role players to finalize the trade. By offering Washington a contract just $1 above the NBA minimum, the Knicks ensured his deal fit the required salary-matching criteria. However, they refused to cover his buyout costs with Partizan, making it clear that the player would need to find a solution to return to Serbia after his brief NBA stint.
Despite Washington playing just two preseason games with Charlotte, where he scored five and seven points respectively, his involvement in the trade was essential. On October 9, the Hornets waived him, and Washington returned to Partizan. His role in the deal exemplifies how NBA teams often utilize lesser-known players to facilitate larger moves.
For the Knicks, acquiring Towns has been a long-term goal, and the team strategically navigated salary cap complexities to make it happen. Washington’s brief NBA return, though short-lived, played a significant part in the process, helping the Knicks execute the trade while adhering to the league’s financial rules.
