Karl-Anthony Towns' Plug-&-Play Capability Is Huge Positive For ...

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 12: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves takes a shot ... [+] over Aaron Gordon #50 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at Target Center on May 12, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks made a late-night trade Friday, acquiring All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a protected 2025 first-round selection via Detroit.

(To make the money work, the Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves looped in the Charlotte Hornets, and it's yet unclear what the final parameters of the deal are.)

What is known is that the Knicks have pulled off yet another blockbuster trade, marking the third of such since December when they acquired OG Anunoby. In July, the organization traded for Mikal Bridges, who had interest from most teams around the association, and now appear primed for a deep Eastern Conference playoff run.

While the loss of DiVincenzo is significant, due to his floor-spacing capabilities, and defensive acumen, Towns represents not just a major upgrade, but he also solves a positional problem the Knicks have had since losing center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder over the offseason.

With Towns now in-house, the Knicks have both him and Mitchell Robinson handling the center spot, allowing Anunoby, Bridges, Josh Hart, and Jalen Brunson to focus on the perimeter.

As for Randle, he was always going to be a wonky fit on the Knicks after their Bridges acquisition. He routinely plays outside the flow of the offense (even if he did improve some in that category last season), and he isn't a natural long-range shooter, unlike Towns.

In many ways, the Knicks had to structure lineups around the presence of Randle, but questions remained as to whether or not he was ever good enough to justify such a hassle.

Now that problem will be Minnesota's, as Towns can slide right in as a more immediate plug-and-play option, due to his three-point shot, and ability to play off the ball. He's a career 39.8% shooter from range, on almost 2,500 attempts.

(Generally, Towns is historically considerably more efficient, having never had a season under 60% true-shooting, past his rookie year.)

As for how the Knicks will start games, there's a clear option. Brunson and Bridges in the backcourt, Hart and Anunoby at the forwards, and finally Towns handled the center spot. That's a strong, versatile lineup, which offers plenty of two-way production, floor-spacing, playmaking, and quality rebounding.

For Minnesota, this was clearly a financially driven trade, as Towns is costly ($220 million over the next four seasons), and Randle has just one year left on his deal that isn't an option year. As for DiVincenzo, he's on one of the best contracts in the NBA, earning just over $35.8 million in total over the next three seasons.

The timing for the Wolves appear odd, due to the fact they just made the Western Conference Finals this past season. While Randle is a more natural power forward, as opposed to Towns who had to masquerade as such next to Rudy Gobert these past two years, he needs the ball in his hands to be effective, and you have to wonder how the Wolves will have quality spacing around Anthony Edwards.

The trade does allow Minnesota to optimize some cap flexibility moving forward, but it's a difficult path given how they're not a strong free agent destination. Will that come at the expense of success this season? Probably so, and it'll interesting to see if Edwards is acceptant of that approach.

For now, the Knicks look like the team that came out looking best post-trade. They're adding a center, in his prime, who's averaged 22.9 points and 10.8 rebounds for his career, which allows for everyone else on the roster to get easier shots.

Bridges in particular is going to slide back into a tertiary, high-efficiency role, with Anunoby becoming far more selective with his shots, much to the frustration of opposing NBA coaching staffs.

As for Minnesota, this isn't a deal for the present, but for the future. It remains to be seen how far they go this year.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.