REPORT: Karl-Anthony Towns trade finally official

Regardless of how you feel about the trade, it’s now finalized, and we can all move on

While the blockbuster trade centered around Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Karl-Anthony Towns was reported last Friday night, the deal was taking a while to be finalized. After multiple days of anticipation, the wait is finally over though, as it was reported that the deal was at last finalized.

As noted above, the Hornets, who are helping the two teams facilitate the deal, will be receiving three second-round picks, two of which are from the Knicks, along with DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown, and Duane Washington Jr..

And in the reported final version of the trade, the Knicks will now also get James Nnaji, who was the 31st pick in the 2023 NBA draft. The young 6’11” center is looked at as a raw prospect who still has some ways to go before he is considered NBA-ready. But scouts believe that the Nigerian national has the defensive potential, athleticism, and motor to draw comparisons to current players Clint Capela and the Knicks’ very own Mitchell Robinson. While he is likely still a few years away from making an NBA roster, this gives them a young player who could contribute or be used in another trade.

The final trade also gives us a glimpse of the cap implications of the deal. As Sam Quinn of CBS points out, the Knicks, as they have done so often under Leon Rose, did an amazing job of maneuvering the salary cap. Despite Towns coming with a very expensive contract, as things stand right now, they can stay under the second apron for the next two seasons. And while they likely will be over the second apron in 2027 and 2028, they’ll be back below it and Towns’ contract expires.

As some have pointed out, this now allows the Knicks to keep Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Towns for the next four years while all of them are still in their primes. Unfortunately for the Knicks though, they weren’t able to get another NBA-ready center in return like some had hoped for. With Robinson’s return up in the air due to his injury and trade rumors, the Knicks seem to be heading in to one of the most important and hyped up seasons in the franchise’s history with Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims as the only backup centers.

But with the trade finally official, everyone can move on. Randle and DiVincenzo can get started with Minnesota, while Towns can join the team for training camp. And maybe we can finally hear more about the trade from Tom Thibodeau, and Jalen Brunson.