The NBA offseason got a last-minute jolt in late September upon the news that the Timberwolves, Knicks and Hornets had agreed to a trade centered around sending Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round pick heading to Minnesota along with additional players and picks to Charlotte.
The trade, on paper, made some sense for both sides — Minnesota gained some financial flexibility by moving off Towns’ massive contract while the Knicks swapped out two useful but somewhat redundant players for an impact center they desperately needed after Isaiah Hartenstein signed with the Thunder in the offseason and with Mitchell Robinson still dealing with nagging injuries. It was also fascinating as a high-profile player exchange between two teams looking to solidify themselves after years of mediocrity gave way to breakout 2023-24 campaigns.
Over the first quarter-season since the trade, arguably the biggest winner looks to be Towns himself. The newly coined “Big Bodega” is so far averaging 24.8 points per game — right around his career high over a full season — and 13.9 rebounds per game. The Knicks overcame a shaky start to win six of their last eight games as Towns has grown more comfortable playing alongside star Jalen Brunson.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is also emerging from a rocky start thanks perhaps to its star, Anthony Edwards. After a loss in late November dropped the Timberwolves to 8-10, Edwards called his team “soft as hell” and described its mentality as childlike and selfish. Since then, Minnesota is 6-1 and has climbed back into the (early) Western Conference playoff picture.
