From the odd timing and questionable fits, to it involving a pair of contenders coming off their best season in a generation and then deciding to do something unnecessarily drastic, so much of Friday night's blockbuster trade between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves doesn't make a ton of sense. After nine seasons, four All-Star appearances, and a conference finals that happened just four months ago, Karl-Anthony Towns's time in Minnesota is over. He heads to New York for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a protected first-round pick via the Pistons (it can't be higher than 10th through 2027) in what can fairly be described as a headline-grabbing transaction that probably won't thrust either team closer to a Finals appearance.
The incentives on both sides are sensible albeit discouraging. Minny did this to shed Towns's extravagant four-year, $220 million contract (which includes a $61 million player option in 2028 when he will be 32 years old). The franchise's desire to get off it wasn't surprising, given its exorbitant luxury tax bill and cap sheet that easily topped the second apron for years to come.
The odds on KAT finishing this deal without getting moved were slim ever since he put pen to paper in 2022. But the predicament here, evident throughout the Wolves' impressive playoff run, is how good and important Towns clearly was to a team that really valued his size and unique offensive skill set. There were blips and droughts in the postseason (particularl.