Biggest reason for Karl-Anthony Towns blockbuster deal is likely new CBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves traded one of their top players after their best playoff run in decades. And they likely did it for money.

In a rare blockbuster deal between two NBA contenders, the Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly sent Karl-Anthony Towns, a four-time All-Star, to the New York Knicks. Minnesota gets three-time All-Star Julius Randle, sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo and a protected first-round pick from the Detroit Pistons.

While both Randle and DiVincenzo are solid players, Minnesota’s primary motivation was likely to get out from under the four years and $220M left on Towns’ deal.

The Timberwolves were facing a salary crunch with Towns, Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards all making over $40M per year. Add in Jaden McDaniels’ five-year, $131M contact and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid’s impending free agency, and the Wolves were going to have to cut money after the season.

Instead, they did it before the 2024-25 season began. Randle will replace Towns in the starting lineup, while DiVincenzo becomes the sixth man. The trade helps Minnesota’s depth but hurts its starting lineup, especially in outside shooting, Randle has made 33.3% of his career three-pointers. Towns has made 39.8% on a markedly higher volume of shots.

Towns is at least four inches taller, was the best player in Minnesota’s comeback Game 7 win over the Denver Nuggets and can play center, something the Knicks need with Isaiah Hartenstein gone in free agency and Mitchell Robinson still injured.

Minnesota was facing severe tax penalties. It's still above the NBA’s punitive “second apron,” but the deal gives it added flexibility. Especially since the future of the team’s ownership is still uncertain.

Glen Taylor and minority owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore have an arbitration hearing in November to resolve the latter duo’s aborted purchase of the Wolves. If Lore and Rodriguez prevail, their leaked budget projections suggested they will want to drastically cut payroll.

This also suggests they’re ready to pay big for Reid when he can become a free agent next summer. But saving money cost them a player who gave Minnesota nine excellent years and was apparently blindsided by the move.

The NBA is a business at heart. This trade was a brutal way for Towns to get reminded of that.