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The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly "nearing a trade" centered around All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks as part of a three-team deal, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the Athletic's Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski Friday (September 27) night.
The Timberwolves will reportedly receive former All-Star forward Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo as part of the deal, while the "Knicks are sending salary -- including DaQuan Jeffreies -- and draft compensation" to the Charlotte Hornets, according to Charania.
"The Knicks are nearing a trade to send package around Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota for Karl-Anthony Towns, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski," Charania wrote on his X account. "Knicks are sending salary -- including DaQuan Jeffries -- and draft compensation to Charlotte in three-team Karl-Anthony Towns/Julius Randle deal, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski."
Towns, 28, a New Jersey native, has spent his entire career with the Timberwolves since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, which included playing under current Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau for three seasons.
“I ain’t got no problem with Thibs, we’ve been squashed out,” Towns said in October via NJ.com. “I still look at Thibs as one of the best X’s and O’s guys I’ve been ever able to play for. He’s a winner, he’s a coach that breeds winning and I got nothing but respect for him.”
Towns recorded 19.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists during the 2023-24 NBA season, which saw Minnesota finish with a 56-26 regular season record before being eliminated in the Western Conference Finals. The former Kentucky standout was long rumored to be a target for Knicks since Leon Rose, who had previously worked as the Towns' agent with CAA, took over as the team's president in 2020.
“They made multiple playoffs, made some good runs, brought hope and excitement to the Garden. “I don’t think [Rose] has done a bad job.” Towns said when asked about his former agent last October via NJ.com.
Towns is currently signed to a deal that has four years, $220.4 million remaining.