Karl-Anthony Towns (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Karl-Anthony Towns’ move to the New York Knicks was arguably the most unexpected trade of 2024. The Knicks made a strong offer to Timberwolves president Tim Connelly, resulting in his trade after a nine-year stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although it was tough to break up the team, the Knicks needed a center, and they found one in Towns.

Towns demonstrated his commitment to the Timberwolves by sacrificing up to $100 million to help build a championship team, following Jalen Brunson’s example, who gave up $113 million to boost the Knicks’ title chances.

On the Club Shay Shay Podcast, Towns told Shannon Sharpe that he would have gladly taken a pay cut to keep the Timberwolves intact: “If we can keep it together. Show me that. We all gotta get in the room and say we’re gonna do it. So I mean, Jalen Brunson, shout out to him.” It’s clear that the podcast was recorded prior to the trade, which explains why Towns was willing to make the sacrifice.

Towns praised Brunson’s situation, saying, “You know what? You can’t put a value on the fact that he’s at where he wants to be,” Towns sad. “He’s with his father, he’s super comfortable, he has a team that believes in him. I think that belief that a team and organization could give you is something it’s worth a lot, a lot, a lot of money. They give him that belief. And I think that he felt that was the best situation for him, and I root for him for that.”

With this trade, the Knicks can now manage Towns’ $220 million contract after trading away Julius Randle’s $117 million deal. Unfortunately, the trade also included one of the league’s best-value players, Donte DiVincenzo.

The Impact Of Karl-Anthony Towns Trade

The new NBA collective bargaining agreement complicated managing multiple max contracts, prompting the Timberwolves to trade Towns. The move saved them around $26.5 million in payroll and luxury taxes.

On September 28, 2024, the team officially announced that the Knicks had traded Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick for Towns. This trade surprised not only the fans but also Towns himself, who learned about it through social media. Financial pressures and other significant factors influenced the decision to trade him.

Towns’ contract was a major concern for the Timberwolves, with a cap hit of $49.2 million for the 2024-25 season and a $61 million option for 2027-28. As a result, this financial burden made it difficult for the team to avoid luxury tax penalties. Additionally, performance issues played a role, as Towns had struggled with injuries and inconsistent playoff performances over the past two seasons.

Towns’ departure marks a significant moment for the Timberwolves, giving them more flexibility to build around their rising star, Anthony Edwards. While this move may slow their chances of winning a championship in the short term, the team’s management believes it will help them achieve success in the future.