NBA executives believe Knicks have lost out on blockbuster 3-team Karl-Anthony Towns trade

The New York Knicks may have gotten the best player in four-time All-Star center/power forward Karl-Anthony Towns from their blockbuster three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets, but the club has a lot of pressure to maximize have to take his future draft equity on his current roster.

In return, Minnesota brought in three-time All-Star power forward Julius Randle, versatile shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, forward Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round draft pick.

Read more: Knicks trade for Karl-Anthony Towns in shocking blockbuster deal

The Knicks eventually included a third team, the Charlotte Hornets, in the agreement. When the dust settled, New York had brought in Towns and the draft rights to international center James Nnaji, while the Timberwolves had Randle, DiVincenzo, Bates-Diop and a top-13 protected 2025 first-round pick from the Detroit Pistons had added.

Charlotte, in turn, added former Knicks shooting guards DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown Jr. and Duane Washington in sign-and-trade deals, a 2025 second-rounder from the Timberwolves (via the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers), a second-round pick from the Golden State Warriors 2026, a 2031 second-round pick from New York and $7.2 million in cash from the Knicks.

Both the Knicks and Timberwolves finished top three in their respective conferences last year. New York was the No. 2 seed in the East with a 50-32 record and pushed the Indiana Pacers to seven games in an injury-plagued semifinal series. Minnesota secured number 3 in the West with an outstanding result of 56:26 and moved into the finals of the Western Conference.

Towns, Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid combined to form a formidable front line that held strong in two outstanding playoff series but looked immobile and out of shape against the faster, springier Dallas Mavericks' big men in the Conference Finals. Towns was $220.4 million in debt over the next four seasons and looked particularly helpless in this brisk five-game series.

“I've been kind of surprised in the last week at how many executives I've spoken to who felt like the Timberwolves won this trade, which you wouldn't expect when most people would agree that the best player was the one Knicks goes.” Windhorst remarked.

Randle has had a solid career, but he lacks the high-profile, high-level potential of Towns, one of the game's best shooters at any position. Last season, the 7-foot Kentucky product averaged 21.8 points on .504/.416/.873 shooting splits, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks per Battle. Towns' 3-pointers came from 5.3 long-range attempts.

“But I think what they're responding to is … the way the Wolves were able to rebalance their roster in this trade, get Julius Randle, get DiVincenzo to help them off the bench, give Rob Dillingham – their lottery pick … “A period of time where that might not require him as much to begin with, and also reduce their long-term payroll for a guy in Karl Towns – who had a really big contract,” Windhorst said.

DiVincenzo is a solid two-way player who has proven useful for several deep playoff clubs, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Knicks. The Timberwolves traded the draft rights to rookie guard Dillingham, the No. 8 pick out of Kentucky, from the San Antonio Spurs. Randle brings additional playmaking to bear that Towns did not, although he may not provide the team with the type of shooting ability that Towns did.

“And the big thing will be: What role will Julius Randle play when he plays alongside Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert, and does he fit there long-term?” Windhorst wondered. “Will he sign a contract extension later this year? Does he exercise his player option? But I think a lot of people feel that Wolves have improved in the short and medium term as a result of this deal.”

Randle has a player option of $30.9 million for 2025-26, which is pretty reasonable for a two-time All-NBA honoree.

Read more: Knicks stars react to blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns trade

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