Charania: Knicks Acquire Karl-Anthony Towns in Trade With Timberwolves

The New York Knicks have completed a blockbuster deal to acquire four-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on X, formerly Twitter.

In return, the Timberwolves received three-time All-Star forward Julius Randle, shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick, Charania reported.

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

The deal marks the second big transaction of the Knicks’ summer. New York acquired Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in July. Coming off a second-round playoff appearance that got dismantled by injuries, the Knicks will look to push for a title this upcoming season with a revamped core of Towns, Bridges, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart.

On Minnesota’s side, the deal breaks up the two-center experiment of Towns and Rudy Gobert after two seasons. It also adds more depth around Gobert and emerging superstar Anthony Edwards. Fresh off a conference finals appearance, the Timberwolves will also be gunning for a championship this upcoming season.

Towns, 28, was drafted by Minnesota in 2015 and spent his entire nine-year NBA career with the franchise. He averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in 62 appearances last season.

Randle, 29, spent the last five seasons in New York, making all three of his all-star appearances with the franchise. He only played in 46 games last season and missed the postseason due to injuries. DiVincenzo, 27, played an invaluable role as a 3-point marksman during his one season in New York, averaging a career-high 15.5 points per game last season.