Big news went down Friday night with the Timberwolves sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a 2025 protected first-round pick. Below, I outline the implications of the blockbuster deal and how it impacts my latest fantasy basketball rankings.
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Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, New York Knicks
Towns is undoubtedly one of the best 3-point-shooting big men ever. However, his declining rebound rate has decreased his value in fantasy over the past couple of seasons. Playing alongside Rudy Gobert will do that, but now that Towns is with a depleted Knicks frontcourt, it’s time to recoup some of his production on the glass. With Mitchell Robinson still on the mend, Towns will play far more center this season.
KAT is familiar with Knicks head coach Tom Thibideau, too. In their three seasons together in Minnesota, Towns averaged 23.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 3s and 2.2 stocks with 53/37/84 shooting splits and never finished below 6th in nine-category formats. Despite their issues, it’s evident that Thibs brings out the best version of KAT.
The Knicks have one of the strongest starting lineups in the NBA and adding Towns is a sizable boost offensively because of his efficiency and ability to stretch the floor. He’ll settle in as the second option, but with a rise in rebounds and stocks, I’ve moved him up in my rankings from a late third to a mid-to-late second-rounder in fantasy hoops drafts.
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Julius Randle – PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
There were questions all offseason about how Julius Randle would adjust his game to mesh with the new-look Knicks after essentially being the King of New York a couple of years ago. His inefficiencies and ball-stopping were often cited as reasons he would no longer be a good fit with New York. Unfortunately, we won’t get a chance to find out, as he’s been shipped to Minnesota.
Randle is coming off an injury-plagued season where he played in 46 games. He had surgery on his right shoulder in the offseason, so this year is critical to prove that he can return to his All-NBA form. There’s some financial motivation at stake here, too. If Randle plays well, he could decline his player option to test free agency in the summer. While that sounds great, I have doubts. Last year’s Sixth Man of the Year, Naz Reid, is waiting in the wings and we don’t know what Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch plans to do with the lineup configurations.
Randle will start, but I doubt he’ll get the Thibs’ heavy-minute treatment in Minnesota, which should hamper his fantasy value some. Randle’s going in the sixth round of drafts and that’s probably too high considering this change in scenery. I moved him down to the late seventh round in my latest category rankings.
Donte DiVincenzo – SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves
I like this trade for DiVincenzo from a real-life basketball perspective. When evaluating the Timberwolves roster, Mike Conley turns 37 this year, and rookie Robert Dillingham is unlikely to join the rotation from the onset. DiVincenzo can step in immediately and add value to a Timberwolves team that needs a 3-point specialist on the perimeter. His versatility allows him to play multiple positions, including point guard.
DiVincenzo was a league-winner in fantasy basketball last season, finishing 64th in nine-category leagues, but as much as I like his game and fit for this team, he won’t be more than a fringe asset coming off the bench — capping his fantasy upside. Injuries happen, so it’s possible to see him reemerge as a fantasy star if the minutes open up. DiVincenzo is being drafted in the 10th round, and that’s where I have him in my latest rankings.