The New York Knicks have been actively pursuing Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns for months, according to a recent report. The Knicks were reportedly willing to offer Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson to acquire Towns during the 2024 NBA Draft.
A Tweet read,
“REPORT: The Knicks had been in hot pursuit of Karl-Anthony Towns for months, including offering Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson for KAT during the 2024 Draft.”
REPORT: The Knicks had been in hot pursuit of Karl-Anthony Towns for months, including offering Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson for KAT during the 2024 Draft.
(via @ShamsCharania, @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/YAxguE7z1A
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 1, 2024
The Initial Offer: Randle and Robinson
The Knicks’ initial offer to the Timberwolves was a bold one. Julius Randle, a two-time All-Star, and Mitchell Robinson, a defensive powerhouse, were both included in the trade proposal. This offer was made during the 2024 NBA Draft, highlighting the Knicks’ eagerness to secure Towns’ talents. However, Minnesota was not swayed by this offer and turned it down, indicating their high valuation of Towns.
Persistent Negotiations
Despite the initial rejection, the Knicks did not back down. They continued to engage in negotiations with the Timberwolves throughout the offseason. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Knicks made several offers, each time tweaking the package to make it more appealing to Minnesota. The persistence paid off when the Knicks finally included Donte DiVincenzo and a protected first-round pick from the Detroit Pistons, which opened a window for further discussions.
The Final Deal
The breakthrough came when the Knicks added a first-round pick to their offer. This inclusion was crucial in sealing the deal. The final trade package that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to New York included Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a protected first-round pick. This trade not only bolstered the Knicks’ roster but also demonstrated their commitment to building a competitive team for the future.
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