Two Years Later, Knicks' Trade for Towns Proven Title-Winning Masterstroke
Sports Illustrated grades the 2024 trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks an A+, crediting it as the final piece that led to the franchise's first championship in 53 years. While the Knicks won the title, the Minnesota Timberwolves received a B for avoiding second apron penalties and reshaping their roster around Anthony Edwards, though they remain in the second tier of the West. The Charlotte Hornets, who facilitated the deal, earned a B+ for acquiring draft capital. Current extension talks between Towns and the Knicks have stalled due to salary cap constraints.
Key points
- The Knicks won the 2026 NBA championship, ending a 53-year title drought, with Towns serving as the second-leading scorer and adjusting his role in the playoffs.
- The 2024 trade involved the Knicks sending Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Keita Bates-Diop to Minnesota, while Charlotte acted as a salary dump for fringe players and draft picks.
- Minnesota traded Towns to avoid multiple seasons of second apron penalties, allowing them to sign Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels to extensions and later acquire LaMelo Ball.
- Towns is eligible for a four-year, $227 million extension, but negotiations have stalled as the Knicks seek to avoid the second apron, which is currently $3.3 million below the threshold.
- Sports Illustrated grades the trade an A+ for New York, a B for Minnesota, and a B+ for Charlotte, noting that while Minnesota avoided financial penalties, they have not yet reached the NBA Finals.
Background
The Knicks had previously acquired Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, but the Towns trade completed the core group with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. The franchise had been eliminated in the second round in two straight years prior to the trade. In the first season with the new unit, the Knicks lost in the Eastern Conference finals, leading to the departure of coach Tom Thibodeau. The 2026 championship followed a season where Towns averaged at least 20 points per game. The current extension impasse follows earlier reports that the Knicks are pushing for a pay cut to preserve cap space for other key players.
Why it matters
The trade illustrates the impact of the new CBA's second apron rules on roster construction, forcing the Timberwolves to part with a franchise icon to maintain financial flexibility. For the Knicks, the move validated their strategy of acquiring a high-impact second option to complement Jalen Brunson, resulting in a championship. The ongoing extension negotiations highlight the tension between maintaining a championship core and adhering to strict salary cap mandates, potentially affecting the team's long-term stability.
What to watch
The Knicks and Towns must resolve extension talks before the season begins, with the Knicks seeking a discount to avoid the second apron. The Timberwolves will attempt to compete in the Western Conference with a new core featuring Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, though they face stiff competition from the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. The outcome of the extension talks will determine whether the Knicks can keep their title team intact for the 2027-28 season.
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on si.com