Shams: Knicks Pursued KAT Trade During NBA Draft; Offered Randle, Robinson to Wolves

The New York Knicks agreed to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, but their pursuit of the star center reportedly has been going on for some time.

"This is something that the Knicks were quietly working on for months since the start of the offseason, since draft night," The Athletic's Shams Charania said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. "They offered Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, that was a hard 'no.' They continued to offer that, 'No, no, no,' and then they finally put Donte DiVincenzo in. That was still a 'no,' but at least there was a window open for them, and then they put in that first-round pick on Friday and they get this massive deal done."

It's rare to see such a monumental trade happen just before the start of training camp, but Charania pointed out that it's a significant game-changer for the Knicks, saying, "In my eyes, they have one of the best starting fives in the NBA."

Towns is joining a talented Knicks lineup led by star point guard Jalen Brunson and wings Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart.

A four-time All-Star, Towns is entering the first year of a four-year, $220 million maximum contract extension, which made him expendable for the Timberwolves. The New Jersey native now returns to the East Coast and makes New York one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst explained that Knicks president Leon Rose has had his eye on the 28-year-old for years and jumped at the opportunity to bring him to New York:

"If there was one player Rose coveted more than Brunson, a de facto member of his family when he was hired as Knicks president in 2020, it might've been Towns. Both with deep Jersey roots, Rose had bonded with Towns when he was a teen and, as his agent, had been there with him from his Kentucky days to being picked No. 1 overall to becoming a max contract player. And now, Towns was more available than ever."

Once the trade becomes official, Towns and the Knicks will begin preparing for their season opener against the 2024 NBA champion Boston Celtics on Oct. 22.