The trade, which took place on Friday night, sees Towns moving to the Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round draft pick. This move reunites Towns with his former coach Tom Thibodeau and ex-agent, now Knicks President Leon Rose.

The 28-year-old Towns, originally from Edison, New Jersey, has spent his entire NBA career with the Timberwolves since being the top pick in the 2015 Draft. Known for his impressive stats, Towns averaged 19.1 points and 9.0 rebounds last season and made headlines in March 2022 with a 60-point game against the San Antonio Spurs. Following a four-year, $221 million extension signed in 2022, Towns is set to earn $49.4 million this season.

Financial strain played a significant role in the Timberwolves' decision to part with their star player. With large contracts for both Towns and Anthony Edwards set to take effect, along with Rudy Gobert's substantial salary, the Timberwolves had to make some tough choices to manage their payroll.

For Towns, the move to the Knicks is a homecoming. During a visit to New York last October, he expressed his excitement about returning to the area, enjoying local favorites like Joey D's and Fratelli's in Piscataway. His deep roots include his father, Karl Towns Sr., coaching at St. Joe's-Metuchen, and a practice court at Kean University dedicated to his late mother, Jackie, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2019. Additionally, Towns was inducted into the Hall of Fame at St. Joe's High School in 2021, where his No. 44 jersey was retired.

Towns's arrival at the Knicks comes as they prepare for media day on Monday in Tarrytown, N.Y., and the beginning of training camp next week. His addition will bolster the team's center position, particularly with Mitchell Robinson recovering from ankle surgery and Isaiah Hartenstein having signed with Oklahoma City. Towns brings not only defensive strength but also offensive versatility, which ESPN's Monica McNutt noted could be an intriguing combination with Jalen Brunson.

On the other side of the trade, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo will bolster the Timberwolves' lineup. Randle, who had shoulder surgery in April and is expected to be assessed before the preseason, was a key figure in the Knicks' run to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The 6-8 Randle, another former Kentucky star, had signed a contract extension worth $117 million in 2021.

The 6-4 DiVincenzo was an important part of the Knicks' rotation last season, contributing significantly on both ends of the court. With the recent addition of Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, DiVincenzo became a valuable trade piece and is expected to have a notable impact in Minnesota.

The Knicks will face the Timberwolves in New York on January 17 in the regular season, providing an opportunity for fans to see these former teammates compete against each other.