NBA Rumors: Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns Trade, Wolves Not Done Yet, But ‘On Track’ | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The blockbuster trade between the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks isn’t official yet.

The move, which sends Karl-Anthony Towns to New York in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, was reported on Friday. However, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the transaction is “still on track, but not yet completed.”

The trade too functions a first-round pick headed to the Timberwolves via the Detroit Pistons, while the Charlotte Hornets received DaQuan Jeffries and “draft compensation.”

While the move isn’t official yet, the trade should still go through and will mostly only impact the media availability of the traded players prior to training camp.

The Knicks received a significant improvement in depth at center with this move. Incumbent starter Mitchell Robinson will miss several months to start the 2024-25 season and backup Isaiah Hartenstein left in free agency.

Randle may have found some reps under center, but now the Knicks will get to plug Towns in and see him produce out of the paint. He averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and three assists in 62 games for the Timberwolves in 2023-24 and is a four-time All-Star.

Randle should play an important role in Minnesota and could form a strong core alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. He averaged 24 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists in 46 games for the Knicks in 2023-24.

The trade should help both teams if it becomes official and the players eventually get a chance to discuss the move. However, it will take a while before that is sorted out.