Is the NBA officially back? Between training camp coming up and a shocking blockbuster deal involving two contenders, it appears so! Shams Charania reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves are trading Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a future first-round pick. The Charlotte Hornets are also involved; the Knicks are sending the Hornets salary fillers, including DaQuan Jeffries, and draft capital to make the deal work financially.
Minnesota adds depth to its roster and gets more financial flexibility. Towns was on the books for $159 million for the next three years with a $61 million player option in the 2027-28 season. New York is breaking up part of the 'Nova Knicks but should enter the season with a more balanced starting lineup, as they enter the season without Mitchell Robinson, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his left ankle.
It's a league-altering trade that could benefit both teams, but the Portland Trail Blazers shouldn't be pleased about the deal.
Portland's trade options are now limited
The Knicks were one of the Blazers' potential trade partners, as they were one of the only remaining teams in the league with an apparent need for a center upgrade. It would have been challenging to find a deal that would work for Deandre Ayton, given the $69.6 million owed for the next two seasons. They made it work with KAT, but he's a higher-tier player than Ayton, and it's unlikely that the Knicks would have been willing to move Randle had it been for Ayton instead.
Robert Williams III would have been an intriguing buy-low option for the Knicks, and it would have been much easier to make a deal work to match his $12.4 million contract. They decided to go all-in with Towns instead. He's a great fit as arguably the best shooting big man in the league who can provide floor spacing for Jalen Brunson to operate in the paint.
It's a unique team construction with their seven-footer spacing the floor for their 6-foot-2 point guard to post up. Still, it will be a matchup nightmare for teams to pick their poison, either attempting to guard Brunson one-on-one or leaving Towns open to help. It was going to be challenging for the Blazers to move their centers for any significant value, regardless. Ayton is the highest-paid player on the Blazers' roster, and Williams hasn't proven his ability to stay on the court. Teams might understandably be reluctant to give up significant assets for either player.
But the Blazers' best bet for trading one of their centers was to find a team like the Knicks, someone who has championship aspirations and desperately needs a center. Given their situation, the Knicks could overlook a bad contract or injury-prone player. Another team in a similar situation that Portland should explore a trade with is the New Orleans Pelicans, who are entering the season with 6-foot-6 Zion Williamson, rookie Yves Missi, and Daniel Theis as their primary center options.