Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns ‘shocked’ to be traded, ‘excited’ to start career in New York

While Knicks training camp is underway in Charleston, S.C., Karl-Anthony Cities addressed members of the media for the first time since the blockbuster trade that sent him from Minnesota to New York.

“Shocked,” Towns said when asked about his reaction to the trade, via James L. Edwards of The Athletic. “Maybe the word stunned is more accurate, but shocked.”

It’s hard to blame Towns for feeling this way, considering the former No. 1 overall pick spent nine seasons with the Timberwolves, making four All-Star Games and also winning Rookie of the Year in 2015-16.

Additionally, Towns signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension with the Wolves in June 2022, a new contract that did not begin until this season.

But the deal, which has been sent Julius Randle And Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota as part of a three-team trade was made official Wednesday, bringing a new star to a Knicks roster that already features talented players like Jalen Brunson, Mikal BridgesAnd OG Anunoby, among others.

Towns, who grew up in Piscataway, N.J., said he’s grateful to be closer to his family, but he also expressed deep gratitude for his nearly a decade in Minneapolis.

“I’m super grateful for the nine years I had in Minnesota,” Towns said. “It’s great to be accepted into the community, and for nine years in the Minnesota community, thank you for inspiring positivity and change there, and to all the great teammates I had and coaches and front offices that I was a part of, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to play basketball there.

“I’m excited to play here and I can’t wait to get started.”

It’s clear the Knicks have built a winning culture Tom Thibodeau And Leon Roossomething that has been lacking for quite some time as the team advanced to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season.

With Towns in the mix, the Knicks will look to take it one step further in their pursuit of a championship.

“We have great players,” Towns said, “and if we continue to work day in and day out to be the best version of ourselves that we can be every day, we can do a lot of things.”