In a stunning move by the Minnesota Timberwolves front office, longtime franchise cornerstone and 4x NBA All-Star forward Karl Anthony-Towns was dealt to the New York Knicks in a blockbuster trade that will send 3x all-star Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo to Minnesota, along with a first-round pick, according to the Athletic.
Towns, who was drafted #1 overall to Minnesota in the 2015 NBA Draft, was the longest tenured player on the team and was a key piece in the Wolves’ rebuild and subsequent run to the Western Conference Finals this past season. Towns leaves Minnesota as the franchise’s all-time leader in three point field goals and player efficiency rating, and second to Kevin Garnett in points, rebounds, games played and minutes played.
The news comes as a culmination of years of trade rumors linking Towns to New York, and was likely done in an effort to relieve cap space for Minnesota, saving roughly $20 million.
The Wolves begin training camp on October 1 and play their first preseason game three days later against the Lakers, whom they will open up the regular season against on opening night, October 22, in Los Angeles.
Comments