The Minnesota Timberwolves are sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick in a franchise-altering deal for both sides, a person with knowledge of the deal said Friday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade, which was first reported by The Athletic, had not been finalized. With a recent maximum contract extension for Edwards, the acquisition of Gobert and other expensive commitments, the Wolves with Towns were headed for the second apron of the luxury tax that comes with stiff restrictions under the new collective bargaining agreement.
Towns, a four-time All-Star entering his 10th season who’s one of the best outside shooting big men in the NBA, never hinted at any discontent with the team that drafted him first overall in 2015 despite several lean years preceding the run to the Western Conference finals last spring. Towns grew up in Minnesota in a big way, entering the league at age 19. He played for five head coaches and had seven heads of basketball operations over his nine seasons with the Wolves.
The man who drafted him out of Kentucky, Flip Saunders, died of cancer four months later. The upside of the move now for the 7-footer is a return to his roots, having grown up in New Jersey. He’ll also be reunited with coach Tom Thibodeau, who spent 2 1/2 seasons with Minnesota after being hired in Towns’ second year.
With the Knicks, Town.