A recent report has shed light on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unexpected decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns just a week before preseason begins.
This summer was relatively quiet for the Timberwolves, with rumors circulating about a potential Towns trade due to the future salary cap implications of his contract. However, as time passed, it seemed likely that KAT would return to team up with star Anthony Edwards for another Finals push.
This changed last week when it was announced that the Wolves and Knicks had finally finalized a long-discussed deal to send the four-time All-Star to New York. The timing was surprising, coming just before the preseason and marking a sudden end to his nine-year tenure in Minnesota.
Various reports have emerged regarding the organization’s reasoning for this bold move now rather than waiting for February’s trade deadline. On Monday, veteran NBA insider Marc Stein provided additional insights in his latest Substack piece.
Stein noted that many within the league were caught off guard by the timing of the trade. Ultimately, the Knicks were eager to bolster their center position and presented an offer the Timberwolves couldn’t refuse. This was particularly significant, given that they could allocate part of the $220 million owed to Towns towards re-signing popular players like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Stein outlined three primary reasons why Tim Connelly opted for this trade, and some details about Julius Randle add an intriguing layer.
