Sources: Knicks to send Randle, DiVincenzo to Timberwolves for Towns

Sources: Knicks to send Randle, DiVincenzo to Timberwolves for Town

Sources: Knicks to send Randle, DiVincenzo to Timberwolves for Towns

The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a major trade involving All-Stars Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday night. As part of the deal, Randle and Donte DiVincenzo will head to Minnesota, while Towns will join the Knicks. New York is looking to address its need for a center with Towns, while Minnesota seeks to enhance its shooting and versatility after a strong playoff run last season.

In addition, Minnesota will receive a 2025 top-13-protected first-round pick from New York, originally via the Detroit Pistons. Charlotte is also involved in the trade as a third team, helping make the financials work and receiving draft compensation in return.


Negotiations between the Knicks and Timberwolves had been ongoing throughout the summer, but the deal gained momentum once Charlotte entered the mix. The trade is expected to be finalized in the coming days.


Towns, who grew up in New Jersey, will immediately fill a key role in New York’s starting lineup, particularly as Mitchell Robinson is set to miss the first two months of the season due to ankle surgery. Towns, 28, is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection with career averages of 22.9 points and 10.8 rebounds. Last season, he averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting an impressive 41.6% from three-point range. He signed a four-year, $220 million supermax extension in 2022 and will reunite with former coach Tom Thibodeau, under whom he played in Minnesota.

Randle, who turns 30 in December, averaged 24.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists last season before undergoing surgery for a dislocated shoulder. After signing with the Knicks in 2019, he became a key player, earning three All-Star selections and two All-NBA nods. Despite this, contract extension talks stalled, signaling the Knicks’ willingness to move him.


Donte DiVincenzo, who signed with the Knicks last summer, will bring much-needed shooting to the Timberwolves. Minnesota had been interested in acquiring him as a free agent after he set a career-high in three-pointers made last season with New York.


The trade shakes up both teams’ rosters, and Knicks fans are excited about their new odds for an NBA title, which shifted from +800 to +700 following the deal.