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The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves completed a major trade on Friday night involving All-Stars Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo, according to multiple sources.
New York Knicks were able to trade Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo after Charlotte Hornets became the third team
The Knicks sent Randle and DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Towns, and the Timberwolves will also receive a 2025 top-13-protected first-round pick from New York via the Detroit Pistons.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks, the Charlotte Hornets are the third team involved in the trade, and are expected to receive draft compensation for their role in the deal.
With both Minnesota and New York facing salary cap restrictions, a third team was necessary to facilitate the trade. Charlotte utilized salary cap exceptions to take on money from the Knicks to make the trade legally permissible.
Because of the apron restrictions for both teams, details are still being worked, sources tell ESPN.
New York is $7.6M below the second apron.
Minnesota cannot take back more money in a trade.
One name not involved is Deuce McBride, according to sources. https://t.co/LlAfarnvQ1
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 28, 2024
New York reportedly pursued Towns after the Hornets joined the negotiations as the third team. Trade talks intensified after the announcement that Mitchell Robinson would miss the start of the upcoming season due to surgery.
Upon returning to Minnesota for training camp, Towns expressed surprise at the trade, calling it “completely unexpected,” according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Karl-Anthony Towns helped Minnesota Timberwolves reach Western Conference finals last season for first time in 20 years
Towns, who hails from New Jersey, averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in 62 games last season, helping Minnesota reach the Western Conference finals for the first time in two decades.
Towns, of course, is from New Jersey and used to be represented by Knicks President Leon Rose. There’s a lot of homecoming to this story, but Towns was in the gym today in Minnesota preparing to build off last season’s WC Finals run.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) September 28, 2024
Now in the first year of a lucrative contract extension, Towns is set to reunite with coach Tom Thibodeau, whom he previously played under in Minnesota.
Randle, on the other hand, was dealing with injuries last season but is expected to return to form after a summer of rehabilitation. The Knicks and Randle failed to reach a contract extension agreement, leading to his inclusion in the trade.
Knicks, Julius Randle had not made progress on a contract extension
Despite a strong season before his injury, Randle’s future with the Knicks remained uncertain. The trade allows him a fresh start in Minnesota under coach Chris Finch, who previously worked with Randle in New Orleans.
DiVincenzo, coming off a career-high season with the Knicks, adds depth and shooting to the Timberwolves roster.
Knicks now hold third-best odds to win NBA championship
The trade has impacted the Knicks’ odds of winning the championship, with their chances improving slightly according to various sportsbooks. They face tough competition from teams like the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Fans can look forward to the Knicks and Timberwolves facing off in both preseason and regular-season games in the upcoming season.
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