The New York Knicks had been keeping tabs on Karl-Anthony Towns for quite a while.
Tom Thibodeau coveted a reunion with the New Jersey native, and the front office tried to get it done during the NBA Draft.
According to a report by Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Evan Sidery), the Knicks offered Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle for Towns during the draft.
The Knicks offered Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns beginning on draft night, per @ShamsCharania on @PatMcAfeeShow.
New York kept that offer on the table the entire offseason until last week to get it done. pic.twitter.com/Kp2s2ENY36
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 1, 2024
They reportedly kept the offer on the table throughout the offseason.
The final deal included Donte DiVincenzo instead of Robinson, with a first-round pick via Detroit Pistons also on the way to the Twin Cities.
Notably, DiVincenzo reportedly didn’t want to come off the bench or embrace a lesser role upon Mikal Bridges’ arrival, so he made sense as a trade chip.
As for Robinson, reports state that the Knicks are fielding calls to move him.
The Knicks didn’t see Julius Randle as an integral part of their future; otherwise, they would’ve signed him to a contract extension.
Now, they have the core of Towns, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby for years to come, with Bridges also likely to sign an extension at some point.
On paper, the Knicks should be the biggest threat to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
Even if Towns has a reputation for not being the toughest guy in the league, Thibodeau’s team is gritty and physical and should make up for it with their hard-nosed defense.
The Knicks wanted their guy, and they eventually got him.
It’ll now be up to him to prove that they made the right decision.
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