In a surprising move, Karl-Anthony Towns is set to reunite with head coach Tom Thibodeau, as the Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a blockbuster three-team trade involving the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets. The trade will see Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo head to Minnesota, while Towns makes his way to the Knicks.
As reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, this is the first major trade in an era without Adrian Wojnarowski breaking the news. The deal is nearing completion, with Charlotte involved to balance the salaries and finalize the trade details.
Details
- To New York Knicks: Karl-Anthony Towns
- To Minnesota Timberwolves: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a future first-round pick via the Detroit Pistons.
- To Charlotte Hornets: DaQuan Jeffries, as part of a salary dump from the Knicks.
A Fresh Start?
Towns previously played under Thibodeau in Minnesota from 2016-2019, a period marked by tension between the player and coach. However, Towns has publicly stated multiple times that their relationship is in a good place, and there’s no bad blood.
The shock of the trade wasn’t lost on Towns, as Charania noted that the star center was stunned by the news—something that could be felt in his reaction on social media. Now, all eyes will be on how Towns fits in with Thibodeau’s Knicks and what this trade means for all three teams involved.
