The first major trade this NBA offseason was announced by ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday. The Minnesota Timberwolves shipped Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade with the Chicago Bulls. The three-time All-Star’s return to New York came nearly two years after the Knicks included him in the deal for Karl-Anthony Towns.
Randle played 79 regular-season games for the Timberwolves this past season. He posted averages of 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and a career-high 1.0 steals per game. However, his numbers dipped in the playoffs, recording 16.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.5 steals.
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Minnesota received the No. 33 pick this year, while the Bulls got Nic Claxton. The transaction gives the Timberwolves more salary cap flexibility they can use for exceptions, as well as retaining key contributors.
Towns, on the other hand, was a big piece of the Knicks’ championship run. He suited up in 75 games in the regular season and helped his team secure the East’s No. 3 seed. The 7-foot center showcased his elite skill set in the Finals, defending Victor Wembanyama and producing strong numbers against him.
Revisiting Knicks-Timberwolves swap of Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns
On Oct. 2, 2024, New York sent a huge haul to Minnesota to secure Towns’ services. It was a three-team deal that included the Charlotte Hornets.
The Knicks parted ways with Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round pick. The Hornets received multiple second-rounds, while New York also gained the rights the draft rights to James Nnaji.
The deal will go down as one of the most important in Knicks franchise history. They ended their 53-year championship drought this year, with Towns playing a major role in it. Meanwhile, Randle and Minnesota failed to reach the finals, and he now finds himself back in New York, but with its other team.
