After two consecutive second-round exits, the New York Knicks might have to consider upgrading their roster to try and contend for an NBA title, and they can use the Minnesota Timberwolves’ complex cap situation to their advantage.
In his column, Sam Quinn from CBS Sports pointed out that, despite coming off their deepest playoff run in franchise history, the Minnesota Timberwolves might consider trading Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic, and draft picks to the New York Knicks.
“How badly do the Knicks want to upgrade on Julius Randle? There’s a pretty easy scenario here in which Minnesota swaps Towns for Randle and Bojan Bogdanovic along with some draft capital with the idea that it can just pay for a $30 million power forward next season instead of a $50 million big,” Quinn wrote on his article.
“Towns, both a CAA client and Kentucky alum, has long been in the orbit of New York’s power brokers. It’s hard to believe the Knicks wouldn’t have grander trade ambitions, and Towns’ first go-round with Tom Thibodeau didn’t end well.”
Karl-Anthony Towns signed a four-year, $221 million extension in 2022 that will start in 2024-25 and run through 2027-28. On the other hand, Julius Randle is set to earn roughly $29 million in 2024-25 and has a $31 million player option in 2025-26.
New York Knicks have a lot on their plate this offseason
The New York Knicks front office will have their work cut out for them this summer, as four key players will hit free agency. OG Anunoby, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alec Burks will be unrestricted free agents, while Precious Achiuwa will be an RFA.
With the team likely to prioritize keeping OG Anunoby to keep him away from rival teams, the New York Knicks will likely have to let go of Alec Burks, Precious Achiuwa, and Isaiah Hartenstein – who has an absurd $100 million salary projection.
