Karl-Anthony Towns to Knicks After Blockbuster Trade

(Photo via @karltowns Instagram)

TC Cummings | Contributing Writer

On Oct. 2, 2024, Karl-AnthonyTowns was officially traded to the New York Knicks. The Knicks gave forward Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo and other assets to acquire KAT. 

Letting go of Randle and DiVincenzo is painful for Knicks fans. DiVincenzo came into his own these past playoffs, being a major spark and clutch player for New York, and Randle helped break the Knicks’ playoff drought in 2021, bringing them back into the mix. 

Though tough, this loss may prove to be necessary. Even though the Knicks were suffering through injuries at the end of the year, most notably losing Randle for the entire playoffs, they still made a deep playoff run. With two gritty playoff series against rival Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers, the Knicks 2024 playoffs were filled with highlights. 

Even though the 2024 Knicks provided an energetic and entertaining effort, it’s clear that they would need more to topple the loaded Celtics roster that went on to dominantly win the 2024 NBA Finals. Acquiring Karl-AnthonyTowns gives the Knicks a better chance to surpass the Celtics this upcoming season. 

Karl-AnthonyTowns averaged 21.8 points per game last season with 8.3 rebounds. He was selected to his fourth all-star team in nine years and helped the Timberwolves reach the Western Conference finals after defeating the defending champs in a thrilling seven-game second-round series. 

While KAT was not the main attraction for the Timberwolves in the last couple of seasons, he showed great maturity in taking a lesser role, and his play style is complementary to other players. KAT is a scoring big man who can stretch the floor, he is known as one of the best three-point shooting big men ever.

KAT comes in as a great addition to the Knicks. His ability to hit the three will give the Knicks more spacing for their point guard star Jalen Brunson to attack the basket. Add the fact that the Knicks added Mikal Bridges this offseason from the Brooklyn Nets, who is a proven role player and former first-team all-defense in 2022. 

This trade for Karl Anthony-Towns makes the Knicks a contender to win the Eastern Conference. Being in the large market of New York City they have always brought a buzz and excitement to the league when they are competitive. Madison Square Garden has hosted some of the most legendary moments in NBA History and after this trade, it becomes quite possible that it won’t be long before we see some more.