A bolt of lightning pierced the clear night sky.NBA. Surprisingly, in fact, the Minnesota Timberwolves have traded Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade with the New York Knicks. Let’s therefore analyze the details of the definitive agreement together, trying to understand which of the two franchises managed to improve their roster and their potential for next season with our Trade Grades.
Ai New York Knicks va: Karl-Anthony Towns
Going to the Minnesota Timberwolves: Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, 2025 first-round pick (from Detroit, top 13 protected)
Minnesota Timberwolves: 6.5
After the great results of last season, the Timberwolves lose one of their key and most talented players. At the same time, as Towns leaves, two players enter who extend coach Finch’s rotations. The Minneapolis franchise had suffered the lack of deeper solutions last year, and the addition of two players of relevance also in terms of Playoffs will certainly help. DiVincenzo especially could provide further solutions on the perimeter, fundamental coming off the bench together with players like Naz Reid or Alexander-Walker.
At the same time, Finch will have to face a new challenge to best fit the pieces at his disposal. After having managed to find the right solutions to bring Towns and Gobert together, he will now have to manage to best insert a cumbersome player like Julius Randle. Much of the Timberwolves’ season will depend on how the on-field relationship between Randle, Gobert and Edwards develops. Compared to Towns, the former Knicks is a player with one usage even greater and who needs to touch the ball often so as not to become alienated from the game. One solution could be to divide his minutes from Ant’s as much as possible.
Finally, the trade for the Timberwolves can also be positive from a financial point of view. The combined salaries of DiVincenzo and Randle will weigh $8.8 million less on Minnesota’s salary budget, resulting in 40 million less from a tax point of view.
New York Knicks: 7+
With this trade, the Knicks confirm their desire to be a serious contender to the title. From this point of view, Towns’ arrival “hurries” Thibodeau’s project, making the team competitive right away to aspire to the title. Furthermore, given Hartenstein’s farewell and Robinson’s absence in these first months of the season, KAT will also fill a role currently left vacant on the roster. New York’s starting five will thus have even wider spacing, being able to afford a five outalso adding danger to the Knicks’ possible rotations at the end of the game. KAT, Bridges, Hart, Brunson and Anunoby all together already represent one of the best quintets in the League.
Looking at the negative side of the trade, obviously the midfield where KAT suffers the most is that defensive. The former Wolves player is not a good defender of the rim, so his use as a center will take something away from the defensive presences of Robinson or Hartenstein last season. Upon Robinson’s return, however, Towns will also be able to play as a 4trying to overcome this problem. It could have more negative effectsfarewell to DiVincenzoarguably the Knicks’ best player last season behind Brunson. His departure will mean relying more on players like Cameron Payne and Miles McBride, shortening the rotations available to Thibodeau on the perimeter.
