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The Towns-Randle-DiVincenzo trade is now official between Wolves, Knicks

The Timberwolves have officially welcomed Randle and DiVincenzo to the team.
Will Ragatz|
May 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) fouls out against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half in game four of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center.
May 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) fouls out against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half in game four of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Timberwolves

The blockbuster trade between the Timberwolves and Knicks is now official, five days after it shocked the NBA world via reporting from Shams Charania late Friday night. The Wolves have acquired Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a protected first-round pick (via Detroit) from the Knicks for Karl-Anthony Towns, with Minnesota also sending the Hornets a second-round pick as part of the three-team deal.

The Wolves waived Jaedon LeDee to make room on their roster for their three new players.

It took a while for the teams to creatively finalize some complicated details, but it was always a matter of when and not if the trade would be completed. Now it's finally official.

Randle will wear No. 30 with the Wolves. Bates-Diop will wear No. 31. DiVincenzo has worn No. 0 with his last four teams, but Jaylen Clark currently holds that number in Minnesota so we'll see what happens there.

Trading Towns presents some risk, as he's the best player involved in this deal, but the Wolves decided now was the time to sell high on one of their stars, who is set to make $220 million over the next four years. Dealing Towns gives the Wolves more financial flexibility moving forward. Randle will make $33 million this year with a $31 million player option in 2025-26. DiVincenzo is one of the best value contracts in the league, as he'll make a total of $36 million over the next three seasons.

The Wolves believe this trade helps them in the future and also keeps them locked in as contenders in the 2024-25 season. Towns' departure leaves a big hole, but Randle is a two-time All-NBA player who will replace much of KAT's scoring, rebounding, and secondary playmaking abilities, albeit with much less outside shooting. DiVincenzo helps replace that shooting, gives the Wolves another proven player in the back court, and makes their bench arguably the league's best.

Training camp began this week. The Wolves' first preseason game is Friday night against the Lakers.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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