NBA insiders unravel the biggest questions surrounding the blockbuster Knicks-Timberwolves trade

The final weekend of the NBA offseason brings us another league-shaking deal involving two teams with NBA Finals aspirations.

Karl-Anthony Towns will join the New York Knicks, while Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo are headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told ESPN. The Timberwolves will also acquire a top-13 protected first-round pick from the Knicks in 2025, with the Charlotte Hornets receiving draft compensation to facilitate the entire deal.

Towns spent nine seasons in Minnesota since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2015. The four-time All-Star big man averaged 22.9 points and will reunite with head coach Tom Thibodeau, for whom he played from 2016 to 2019.

Randle, a three-time All-Star forward, has been sidelined since January with a right shoulder injury that required surgery later in April. DiVincenzo, a veteran marksman with six years of experience, finished last season with career-highs in games played (81) and 3-point percentage (40%).

Here’s what our NBA insiders from around the league are hearing about the blockbuster action.

What are league insiders saying about Towns’ fitness in New York?

Ramona Shelburne: The Knicks’ biggest need has been at center following the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein and the injury to Mitchell Robinson, and they just filled it with a top-5 center in the league. Cities should help balance the score and space the floor with his career 39% 3-point shooting.

Chris Herring: That it clearly answers the Knicks’ question about who will keep the center position, which was thin after the loss of Hartenstein in free agency and Robinson’s ankle surgery, which should keep him out for the next few months. Towns gives New York incredible space – and scoring as a No. 2 – on offense, and he has experience playing in Thibodeau’s defensive system. But at first glance, he lacks the gritty, physical style that players like Randle and DiVincenzo brought to the team.

Bobby Marks: Seamless is a word one team described to me about Towns’ fit. The Knicks were desperate for a center. Not only does Towns fill that void, but he gives New York a true stretch five. Towns is one of four players to average 20 points on 50% shooting and 40% on three-pointers last season. Also keep in mind that Towns is already comfortable playing for Tom Thibodeadu after spending three years with the Knicks coach in Minnesota.

What are league insiders saying about Randle’s fitness in Minnesota? Is this his final destination?

Shelburne: This trade is possible because Naz Reid has developed so well. He’s still likely to come off the bench and there are questions about the distance between Randle and Gobert, but Wolves coach Chris Finch is a fan of Randle, having coached him to a breakout season in New Orleans in 2018-19.

Haring: That the Wolves take a total approach. Randle wants to stay in Minnesota because he can opt out of his contract after this season. That reality gives Minnesota much more financial flexibility than they had under Towns’ massive contract, which totals more than $220 million. It’s also worth noting that this deal isn’t just about Towns and Randle. DiVincenzo was fantastic last season, finishing third in the league in three-pointers, behind Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic. He has one of the NBA’s most affordable contracts and will be a key part of the Wolves’ rotation.

Marks: Whether Randle’s tenure in Minnesota is short-lived or part of the future. Randle has a $30.9 million player option for next season and could become a free agent. He will be eligible for a four-year extension worth $181 million six months after the transaction is completed. For now, Randle gives Minnesota an All-NBA forward to complement Rudy Gobert and better roster flexibility moving forward. Before Randle injured his shoulder last season, he had 19 straight 20-point games, the longest streak of his career.

The biggest winner in this deal is ____?

Shelburne: The Knicks – who did nothing but go all out this summer by trading for Mikal Bridges, expanding Brunson and Anunoby and now acquiring Towns. They now have three bona fide stars, all on the same timeline. Yep, they’re right up against the second platform and have exhausted their draft capital. But in today’s NBA, this is about as good as a team can position itself to compete for multiple years.

Herring: Could I use a lifeline here? The truth is, I did no idea yet. I was excited to see what the Knicks looked like with Mikal Bridges in the lineup, which will now feature Towns instead of Randle and DiVincenzo – a very different look and style. I like that Minnesota is streamlining its wide big-man rotation, and that it now has more wing scores at its disposal. It also has more cap flexibility going forward. But I don’t understand how huge this is for both clubs, who seemed to be on an upward trajectory without these deals. They are one of the most interesting teams in the association this season.

Marks: Can I answer this question in June? The Knicks continue to go all-in with their roster, first trading five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges and then absorbing the $220 million salary owed to Karl-Anthony Towns. On the bright side, New York didn’t have to trade backup guard Deuce McBride as part of the deal and Josh Hart still comes off the bench. Minnesota is still a top-4 team in the West, but how far it goes depends on Randle’s health. Randle underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle last April and recently underwent season-ending surgery to repair the dislocated shoulder he suffered in January. The addition of DiVincenzo brings stability and perimeter shooting to a young Minnesota bench. Last year, DiVincenzo made 283 three-pointers with New York, the most in a season in Knicks history. His 241 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers last season were the most in the NBA, per Second Spectrum.

The biggest remaining question mark is ____?

Shelburne: Whether or not the Knicks have enough to dethrone the Boston Celtics and get past the other contenders in the East. They are clearly more talented now after their offseason home run swings. But now that they’ve gone all in, this group needs to produce because the Knicks have largely exhausted their resources and flexibility.

Herring: To be honest, there are a few. How does Randle – who sometimes makes ill-advised shots and dribbles into traffic – behave with Anthony Edwards on the floor? Will Towns be a natural fit next to his physical Knicks teammates?

Marks: What else does New York broadcast in trade? Since New York is over the first platform, they are not allowed to take back the Towns contract without sending additional salary in addition to Randle and DiVincenzo. As Tim Bontempts reported, the Hornets are part of this transaction and will absorb additional salary. The Knicks and Hornets are still sorting out the details of who is involved. Just like when New York agreed to acquire Bridges in late June, expect more players to be involved.

How will Towns’ tenure in Minnesota be remembered?

Shelburne: Loving, but incomplete. He waited a long time to play with a co-star like Anthony Edwards. It would have been nice to see this team pull it off again after last season’s conference finals. But Towns was no longer on the same timeline as Wolves’ young core and he was earning too much to remain under the new CBA. It’s worth noting that he never asked for a trade or complained about being in Minnesota – which is a big reason why the team sent him to a situation he would be happy with.

Herring: As someone who was extremely talented and played a role in turning things around for the Wolves. He was seemingly never the leading star who turned the tide — that was more Jimmy Butler and eventually Edwards — but few big men in the league were better during the former No. 1 pick in Minnesota. Beyond what he did on the field, he showed an unusual level of vulnerability in 2020 and 2021, especially after losing his mother and seven other family members to COVID-19.

Marks: Like a future Hall of Famer who finally brought stability to a losing franchise. Since being drafted in 2015, Towns has undergone numerous coaching changes (three since current Head Coach Chris Finch was hired) and endless trips to the lottery. He will end his time in Minnesota ranked one behind Kevin Garnett in points scored for the franchise.

How will Randle’s tenure in New York be remembered?

Shelburne: Until his injury last year, Randle was an Ironman. He played hard in every game. Two things that are highly appreciated by Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. He had flaws and sometimes could not interact well with the public. But in the end, he overcame a lot of that and earned respect within the franchise and the city. He was a consolation prize of sorts after the Knicks failed to land Kevin Durant in free agency in 2019. But he far exceeded initial expectations to become a 2020 MVP candidate.

Herring: In some ways it will be similar to the way Wolves fans viewed Towns’ tenure. Randle was deeply flawed at times; especially early in his time in New York. But his work ethic and improvements on the court helped the Knicks turn a corner after what had been the league’s most dismal run of the previous two decades. He made two All-NBA teams and often looked like a No. 1 option before struggling numerous times in the postseason. Randle hoped to rewrite his postseason story this past season with fellow player Jalen Brunson, but the forward suffered a dislocated shoulder in late January and was unable to return to the lineup following his rehabilitation. Still, on an individual scale, he exceeded the expectations fans had when the Knicks signed him in 2018.

Marks: Unfinished. Yes, Randle was named All-NBA three times with New York, but most fans will remember his flaws in the Atlanta and Miami playoffs, which contributed to a long stretch of postseason disappointment for the Knicks.