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NBA Rumors: Karl-Anthony Towns Traded to Knicks; T-Wolves sign Julius Randle, more | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

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NBA Rumors: Karl-Anthony Towns Traded to Knicks; T-Wolves sign Julius Randle, more | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 21: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2023 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota . NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

After spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns is on the move.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the T-Wolves are trading the three-time All-Star to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick via the Detroit Pistons.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from Minnesota via Detroit for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. pic.twitter.com/FafQlY48Y1

This is a big gamble by the T-Wolves, who are coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history, and there is a lot of optimism about their potential heading into the 2024-25 season.

Given the amount of money Minnesota had invested in its three bigs, Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, adding depth would be a challenge.

The easiest way for the Timberwolves to revamp their roster was always to trade Towns, but it seemed like President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly was taking a different approach.

Connelly made a smart move during the draft by executing a trade with the San Antonio Spurs for No. 8 overall pick Rob Dillingham.

Tyler Metcalf @tmetcalf11

One of the Timberwolves' biggest problems in the playoffs was their lack of bucket getters. You brought it up this evening.
Rob Dillingham
Spot-Up PPP: 97th percentile
PNR: 89
ISO: 57
Off Screen: 58
Catch and Shoot: 98
Pull up: 82
Terrence Shannon Jr
Transl.: 87
Spot above: 80.…

This decision to essentially purchase a draft pick allowed the Timberwolves to pad their salary given the limitations of the secondary frontcourt they were operating under.

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42

With the election of Rob Dillingham, Minnesota's luxury tax bill rises from $56 million to $84 million.
An aggressive move for a Minnesota team that has the same starting lineup but had limited options in free agency. https://t.co/SMM0f9zVpa

It seems strange to distribute cities after this turn, but it still is uncertainty about the ownership of the franchise, which could influence these decisions.

It will be interesting to see what impact the Towns trade has on the field and how head coach Chris Finch handles it.

Minnesota finished third in the Western Conference as it had the NBA's best defensive rating (109.0). The team reached the Western Conference Finals for the second time in franchise history before losing to the Dallas Mavericks.

Towns had a solid season with 21.8 points on 50.4 percent shooting and 8.3 rebounds per game in 62 starts. His four-year, $224.2 million extension, signed in July 2022, begins next season.

The 27-year-old was drafted No. 1 overall in 2015 and has been one of the most productive scoring centers in the NBA since entering the league. He has averaged at least 20 points per game in each of the last seven seasons and is 39.5 percent from three-point range for his career.

After the Knicks won a playoff series in each of the last two seasons, the mood is higher than it has been for a long time. It helps to have a bona fide star at point guard in Jalen Brunson.

The front office has done a great job building around Brunson, most notably acquiring OG Anunoby in a midseason deal with the Toronto Raptors last season. He signed a long-term contract in the summer after the team also signed Mikal Bridges in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.

Towns will be an interesting addition with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who has a strong defensive style. He has been limited in his ability in this area throughout his career, but his scoring ability will make them a more formidable team on offense.

It helps the Knicks that Mitchell Robinson is on the team even though he is currently out with an injury.

The Knicks' stock is high right now and this is a big move by general manager Scott Perry to get the franchise closer to winning a championship.

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