Karl-Anthony Towns trade, revisited: How Knicks used deal to end 25-year Eastern Conference Finals drought

Typically, the NBA's offseason blockbuster trades take place in the summer, not long after a new champion has been crowned. But just weeks before the 2024-25 season, All-Stars were swapped between two expected title contenders.

In October 2024, the Knicks fully committed to championship contention when they acquired star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, a former No. 1 overall pick and two-time All-NBA selection, from the Timberwolves. It was a stunning move at the time, especially given the timing of it — but it's also one that seems to have paid off for both sides.

Flash forward to May 2025, and both New York and Minnesota find themselves in the conference finals and still competing for a championship. For the Knicks, Towns has become a do-it-all weapon in their frontcourt, providing head coach Tom Thibodeau with three-level scoring, consistent rebounding, and even some physicality.

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Here's a look back at the Knicks' acquisition of Towns, a trade that ultimately helped the squad reach its first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.

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Karl-Anthony Towns trade, revisited

On Sept. 27, 2024, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Timberwolves were nearing a trade that would send Towns, a homegrown star in Minnesota, to the Knicks.

There had been plenty of indications throughout the offseason that the Timberwolves were willing to move Towns, despite the team coming off a run to the Western Conference Finals. Financially, the team was growing expensive, already paying rising star Anthony Edwards and four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert significant money.

However, with the Timberwolves hanging onto Towns into late September, all indications were that he would stay remain Minnesota heading into the 2024-25 season. Instead, the Knicks emerged as a trade partner late in the offseason, adding Towns as a second No. 1-level scoring option alongside Jalen Brunson. The trade was completed on Oct. 2, 2024, and it also involved the Hornets.

Karl-Anthony Towns trade details

Knicks receive:

• Karl-Anthony Towns
• Draft rights to James Nnaji

Timberwolves receive:

• Julius Randle
• Donte DiVincenzo
• 2025 protected first-round draft pick (via Pistons)

Hornets receive:

• DaQuan Jeffries
• Charlie Brown
• Duane Washington Jr.
• Cash considerations (unspecified)
• Three second-round picks (one via Timberwolves, two via Knicks)

Karl-Anthony Towns trade grades 

When the deal first went down, the Knicks were receiving the most praise, having acquired another All-Star player while giving up Randle, whose fit on the team was growing more questionable over time, along with DiVincenzo, draft compensation, and a few pieces to make the deal work.

The Sporting News' Steph Noh originally gave the Knicks an A- grade for the trade, while the Timberwolves got a C-. 

"Towns played mostly power forward for the Wolves last year, but he should be unstoppable as a center. He's not a good defender, but the Knicks have elite perimeter defense around him to make it work," Noh wrote back in October. Meanwhile, he questioned Randle's fit in Minnesota, writing, "DiVincenzo will help, but not as much as Randle hurts."

By the time the Knicks and Timberwolves met in January, Noh's updated trade grades had the deal looking even more lopsided. He dished out an A for New York, as Towns was named an All-Star starter soon after, and a D+ for Minnesota, which had struggled in the first half as Randle's clunky fit was putting his contract in question.

Yet again, however, much has changed since January. The trade is now viewed in the light of the fact that both New York and Minnesota have reached the conference finals, with Towns, Randle, and DiVincenzo all playing key roles for their respective squads. Towns helped the Knicks beat the Pistons and Celtics in the playoffs, while Randle has turned a corner as a legitimate second option behind Edwards.

In hindsight, both teams can undoubtedly view the trade as a success, at least for the time being.

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Karl-Anthony Towns Knicks stats

Here's a look at how Towns has performed for New York since coming over from Minnesota.

Karl-Anthony Towns 2024-25 regular season stats

In his first season with the Knicks, the 29-year-old Towns averaged his most points per game since 2021-22 while setting a new career-high with 12.8 rebounds per game.

He's become an efficient scorer for New York behind Brunson, also providing a little bit of everything from the center position. He earned his fifth career All-Star selection in February.

Here's a look at Towns' 2024-25 regular season numbers:

Karl-Anthony Towns 2025 playoff stats

Towns had made the playoffs five different times with the Timberwolves, including the 2024 postseason, when he helped lead the team to the Western Conference Finals. With the Knicks, that experience has paid off thus far.

After entering the East bracket as the No. 3 seed, New York took down Detroit and Boston with Towns having a few strong performances. Here's a look at his playoff stats so far:

Knicks' record with Karl-Anthony Towns

Over Towns' 72 regular season games, the Knicks had a 46-26 record, good for a .639 winning percentage.

Add in New York's 8-4 playoff record entering the Eastern Conference Finals, and the team has a 54-30 (.643) overall record this season with Towns in action.