Knicks acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns in 3-team deal

Karl-Anthony Towns, the standout big man, is on his way to New York, while Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are set to join the Timberwolves.

As training camps across the league prepare to open on Monday, late Friday reports revealed that the Knicks made a significant move ahead of the preseason.

According to Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, New York is acquiring All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns. In exchange, the Knicks are sending forward Julius Randle, guard Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick (from Detroit) to the Timberwolves.

The Charlotte Hornets reportedly became a key third team in the trade, taking on DaQuan Jeffries and receiving draft compensation to help navigate the salary cap issues faced by two “apron” teams involved in the deal.

Karl-Anthony Towns, a four-time All-Star heading into his 10th season, never showed signs of dissatisfaction with the Timberwolves, the team that selected him first overall in 2015, despite enduring several challenging seasons before their run to the Western Conference Finals last spring.

Towns has been deeply involved in the Twin Cities community, embraced a secondary role behind rising star Anthony Edwards, and adapted to playing as a stretch power forward after the team acquired center Rudy Gobert two years ago. He seemed caught off guard by the trade, which comes just three days before the start of training camp. On the bright side, the move brings the 7-footer back to his roots, as he grew up in New Jersey.

The Timberwolves acquire All-Star power forward Julius Randle and sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo, who is coming off a career-best season, along with a first-round pick to help recover some of the draft capital they gave up in the trade for Rudy Gobert.

Minnesota’s president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, has never shied away from making bold moves, as demonstrated by the blockbuster Gobert trade. This latest deal could be even more significant, as the Wolves gear up to push further in the playoffs, facing stiff competition from top Western Conference teams that continue to strengthen.

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