In September 2024, the Knicks traded Julius Randle and DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl Anthony Towns. This shocking decision made people wonder. The Timberwolves had just reached the Western Conference finals, but now, eight months later, that trade looks like it worked out well for both teams.
Karl Anthony Towns played really well in New York, teaming up great with Brunson to help the Knicks get to the Eastern Conference Finals. Julius Randle has also done well in Minnesota, playing a more team-focused role. Now, both the Knicks and the Timberwolves are close to reaching the NBA finals.
New Stats, New Lineup, Trade Decision Went Well
Towns added a new dimension to the Knicks’ offensive game. His shooting forced defenses to adjust, allowing Jalen Brunson more room to drive and make better plays. In the regular season matchups against the Pacers, Towns posted a high scoring average of 30.3 points and 12 rebounds, including a 40-point performance in February. He proved to be more than just a scorer. He was a reliable, calm, and dominant player for the New York Knicks.
But Minnesota didn’t lose that trade. They changed their team a bit, and Randle remains an essential aspect for them in the playoffs. His toughness, versatility, and potential scoring ability were enough to help Anthony Edwards. He secured 25 points in a big win against the Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota has won most of the games when Randle plays.
Randle scored slightly less in Minnesota than in New York, but he has a bigger impact. He’s not trying to be the leading scorer anymore. He’s playing the role that helps his new team the most. Usually, when there’s a trade, people argue about who got the better deal, but this trade is making a different significance. It’s not about someone losing it; it’s about both teams and players getting precisely what they needed.
