The New York Knicks have agreed to a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves of Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first round pick via the Detroit Pistons for Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks will also send DaQuan Jeffries and draft compensation to the Charlotte Hornets to facilitate the trade.
The two sides intensified discussions on a deal over the past 24 hours. The Knicks have long been linked with Towns, but were set to enter the season particularly thin at center following the free agent departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and the injury to Mitchell Robinson.
Towns is entering Year 1 of his four-year, $220 million supermax extension with a $49.3 million salary this season. During the 23-24 season, Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 32.7 minutes. Towns also previously played for Tom Thibodeau and was represented by Leon Rose until the agent left CAA to run the Knicks. Towns’ camp was reportedly “stunned” by the trade to the Knicks.
Randle is on a $28.9 contract this season with a player option for 25-26 worth $30.9 million. According to Ian Begley, the Knicks also discussed Randle trade scenarios with the Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat.
DiVincenzo signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Knicks during the 2023 offseason and had a career season with 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from three.