The Hypothetical Trade
NYK: Karl-Anthony Towns, Jarrett Culver
MIN: R.J. Barrett, Julius Randle, Frank Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, 2021 1st Round Pick (via DAL), 2021 1st Round Pick (via LAC), 2022 1st Round Pick (via NYK)
The clear star in this trade is Towns. The trade would be centered around the big man being sent to New York, along with Culver as a sweetener. Towns would not come cheap, but this is something the Knicks can plan for.
New York is full of top-10 picks who have yet to show their worth. A change of scenery could be good for these players such as Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina. The Knicks signed Julius Randle to a three-year deal last offseason but he was basically signed to be traded.
As for the picks, New York has first-round picks built up from trades involving Kristaps Porzingis and Marcus Morris. They would be well served being moved in a trade to acquire a superstar like Towns.
This is what the deal would look like from each side and why it would make sense for both the Timberwolves and Knicks.
