The Timberwolves and Knicks are close to a blockbuster deal that would send Karl-Anthony Towns to New York. The Knicks’ package would center around Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jon Krawcyznski ( Twitter links ). The two parties are still working through the details, but talks have intensified over the last 24 hours, ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweeted .
Minnesota is also receiving the first-round pick that the Pistons owe the Knicks, according to Steve Popper of Newsday ( Twitter link ). The Knicks are also sending DaQuan Jeffries and draft compensation to the Hornets to facilitate the deal, Charania added ( Twitter link ). However, Jeffries is not currently on New York’s roster, so how he fits into the deal remains to be seen.
It’s a stunning turn of events right before the start of training camp. New York was already involved in a major deal this offseason, trading for the Nets’ Mikal Bridges. The addition of Towns would give the Knicks more flexibility with their lineup, but would come at a large long-term cost in terms of payroll.
Towns’ monster four-year, $220M extension kicks in this season. He’s due to make $49,205,800 this season. Randle has a $28,939,680 salary this season and has a $30.
9M player option next offseason. DiVincenzo is in the second year of a four-year, $46.87M contract, including $11,445,000 this season.
New York can’t take back more salary than it's sending out since it’s over the $178.1.