Karl-Anthony Towns Traded to New York (Official Discussion Thread)

[A1FromDay1]

Finally! We don't need to see the flailing baby giraffe dance anymore! Loved KAT coming into the draft, was so happy we didn't take Jahlil Okafor back then, loved his attitude, his rookie year, saw so much potential in him. But oh man, were the last years tough to watch! Still hate Butler for how he did us but he was right about Towns and Wiggins and we should admit it at least now.

I'm excited to watch Randle kick it outside for the new guy, Ant, Mike, Naz, etc, instead of watching Karl Awkwardly Towns dribble into his foot or hooking his defenders and being the last guy on defense even after made baskets. We all noticed our best 2 players don't have chemistry together and I called it: coaches see that too and he'll be traded after the season.

As some said, we traded him to a good situation, gave him supermax when he never played like a supermax, missed way too many games, was a no-show on most playoff series. Superb shooter, but he never settled to be Dirk 2.0 so he was never going to fit.

Not a fan of Randle but he's a pittbull on a deep and balanced roster full of smart defenders and shooters, we can let him walk and save money after 1 year. I love TC and our current roster, LET'S GO!

[jpatrick]

This was the downside of the Gobert deal. Financially, no matter what people on here said, was it going to work. This is not a team willing to pay that much in the lux tax.

Gobert and Randle are terrible together though. I don’t see a trade market for him though so this is what we have to roll with.

Donte is a nice player though.

[shrink]

Over the last 5 years, Towns has missed more games than Embiid, Paul George, Porzingis, and OG Anuoby

I didn’t believe it, but it’s apparently true! Here are the regular season games played in the last 5 seasons.

Towns 250 games
George 263 games
Porzingas 267 games
Embiid 275 games
Anunoby 277 games

[Folklore]

I bet that Rudy is not willing to restructure his contract so Kat had to go. Rudy just had a kid and would rather get the money then be a family man, He already chose his family over his job. But at the end of the day most of us thought that Rudy would be the salary dump and Towns would be the one who'd snag us an all-star type player or a great prospect with picks or a mix. But this is bs any way you slice it. If Naz is the reason for the trade then we should have had a replacement for Rudy so Naz can play the 3. WTF happened to the twin towers? Randle was already on bad terms with NY and Robinsons being injured should have helped us grab some extra picks. This organization is trash.

[thinktank]

This year we are still above the second apron, so we can’t add salaries to match Durant.

I would hope that the plan is to let Randle walk next year, and use some of that savings to bring back Naz. It’s also possible ownership may not even do that. Next season they may just say, “yeah, we love Naz but we couldn’t afford him,” and just take the savings to reduce or even avoid lux taxes.

I love the idea of getting Durant, but with maxes on Ant and Gobert (unless he renegotiates), I think KD’s salary is just too high.

This trade certainly increases the possibility of a Ant for Beal trade. I don't have problem trading anyone but we want to trade up like for Gobert. This is definitely a trade down. I like to hear how Taylor (ARod make me do it) or Connelly going to spin this one. I am glad I didn't buy season tickets for this year. After waiting for 20 years getting to conference final, this is what the fans get? I am almost done as a Wolves fan.

Yes, I think most smarter fans are going to see that we made a cost-cutting move in a season when we had the best chance of contending with our continuity. But I think I wrote here (or maybe the Trade Board), that Connelly is likely going to sell it that Randle is a two-time All NBA PF, so “believe me, we aren’t trying to get worse to save money!” I hope he says, “we will give this money next year to Naz,” but I don’t expect the organization to tie themselves down like that.

Crazy that Taylor leaked their projection only to do the thing he projected they projected.

[Folklore]

Not a fan of Randle but he's a pittbull on a deep and balanced roster full of smart defenders and shooters, we can let him walk and save money after 1 year. I love TC and our current roster, LET'S GO!

Deep and balanced roster?? Who's the backup C now? Once Randle is gone who's the backup PF? One of the rook..excuse me, bench players we never give playing time to? So Randle is going to walk and we get nothing? Towns antics are horrible but we only have David to show for it? TC painted himself in a corner and then made this horrible trade.

[guest81]

Could this increase the possibility to trade for KD bm before the deadline or next off season?

This year we are still above the second apron, so we can’t add salaries to match Durant.

I would hope that the plan is to let Randle walk next year, and use some of that savings to bring back Naz. It’s also possible ownership may not even do that. Next season they may just say, “yeah, we love Naz but we couldn’t afford him,” and just take the savings to reduce or even avoid lux taxes.

I love the idea of getting Durant, but with maxes on Ant and Gobert (unless he renegotiates), I think KD’s salary is just too high.

This trade certainly increases the possibility of a Ant for Beal trade. I don't have problem trading anyone but we want to trade up like for Gobert. This is definitely a trade down. I like to hear how Taylor (ARod make me do it) or Connelly going to spin this one. I am glad I didn't buy season tickets for this year. After waiting for 20 years getting to conference final, this is what the fans get? I am almost done as a Wolves fan.

If this is what makes you quit being a Wolves fan and not the 30 years of crap previously i don't know what to tell you

[Bernman]

It's a good trade for you guys:

- Randle's a much better fit for MN. You need creation in the halfcourt. He brings some. In NY he was taking the ball away from DB.
- Donte is an all-around player & developed into a borderline core player in NY. Will help offensive facilitation issues.
- The pick is better than 1 direct from a contender. It's late lotto or early 2nd which is better for flexibility purposes.
- You resolve a lot of near future apron purposes which could have led to future 1st lost, FA signing & trade restrictions

it's great if you get something else significant. Still don't get how this works for NY from a cap perspective. They're way over their incoming salary allowance. But you may want to clear the salary anyway.

This may go down smoother now, but I don't think you were trues contenders w/ that prior roster. Outside of Reid, bigs didn't match up on d in certain series', & there was a lack of offensive initiation. Now I just think this is a better dynamic. DiVo is a better decision maker than Edwards, & has much younger legs than Conley. Randle, at least in theory, Edwards & co. just can pitch it into, & play inside out. That is if he just doesn't keep going into the tank in the playoffs. So now I can see paths to a title more.

[BlacJacMac]

IOutside of Reid, bigs didn't match up on d in certain series'

Reid was, by far, our worst big defender in the Playoffs.

We don't beat Denver without KAT defending Jokic and we don't sweep Phoenix without KAT checking Durant.

[Guest84]

I can't believe it...

Two nuggets for KAT.

I really don't like this s**t.

explain to me in a simple way where is the profit?

They waited too long if they were going to do it.

[vtime]

Not a fan of Randle but he's a pittbull on a deep and balanced roster full of smart defenders and shooters, we can let him walk and save money after 1 year. I love TC and our current roster, LET'S GO!

Deep and balanced roster?? Who's the backup C now? Once Randle is gone who's the backup PF? One of the rook..excuse me, bench players we never give playing time to? So Randle is going to walk and we get nothing? Towns antics are horrible but we only have David to show for it? TC painted himself in a corner and then made this horrible trade.

You still have an All NBA pf, and your bench is now Naz, DDV, NAW, Ingles, Dillingham, and Shannon. 11 guys you want to play. So it is deep and balanced.

[guest81]

IOutside of Reid, bigs didn't match up on d in certain series'

Reid was, by far, our worst big defender in the Playoffs.

We don't beat Denver without KAT defending Jokic and we don't sweep Phoenix without KAT checking Durant.

Jokic averaged 30-11-8 and kats stats were down from the regular season. Yea he played some good d at times against jokic but the standards people have of the guy is incredible. Wolves are paying the guy a supermax deal. He should be close to the level of Jokic but he's not in the same universe. Do the wolves beat the Suns with randle and donte instead of kat? Absolutely. So they beat Denver? Maybe. Do they beat Dallas? I think they do. Kat was a no show

[BlacJacMac]

Not a fan of Randle but he's a pittbull on a deep and balanced roster full of smart defenders and shooters, we can let him walk and save money after 1 year. I love TC and our current roster, LET'S GO!

Deep and balanced roster?? Who's the backup C now? Once Randle is gone who's the backup PF? One of the rook..excuse me, bench players we never give playing time to? So Randle is going to walk and we get nothing? Towns antics are horrible but we only have David to show for it? TC painted himself in a corner and then made this horrible trade.

You still have an All NBA pf, and your bench is now Naz, DDV, NAW, Ingles, Dillingham, and Shannon. 11 guys you want to play. So it is deep and balanced.

I'd start Naz and bring Randle off the bench.

Naz played very well with Gobert last year, and Randle would get a lot more opportunities to dominate the ball off the bench.

[Bernman]

IOutside of Reid, bigs didn't match up on d in certain series'

Reid was, by far, our worst big defender in the Playoffs.

We don't beat Denver without KAT defending Jokic and we don't sweep Phoenix without KAT checking Durant.

Gobert couldn't keep up in screens & KAT couldn't rim protect. Reid was the best mix of those 2.

In addition to the offensive initiation improvement, while Randle may not be some notably good defender either, he provides more d versatility to the Wolves.

Overall there are more d options in the playoffs. Though I see a gap in small ball 4's, which existed before. I think someone sufficient of that profile ought to be addressed. Maybe trade Alexander-Walker. Could match up better w/ Luka's of the NBA.

[BlacJacMac]

Over the last 5 years, Towns has missed more games than Embiid, Paul George, Porzingis, and OG Anuoby

I didn’t believe it, but it’s apparently true! Here are the regular season games played in the last 5 seasons.

Towns 250 games
George 263 games
Porzingas 267 games
Embiid 275 games
Anunoby 277 games

I brought up the KAT vs Embiid games a number of times during the year. It looks even worse when you include the other 3...

[minimus]

Not a fan of Randle but he's a pittbull on a deep and balanced roster full of smart defenders and shooters, we can let him walk and save money after 1 year. I love TC and our current roster, LET'S GO!

Deep and balanced roster?? Who's the backup C now? Once Randle is gone who's the backup PF? One of the rook..excuse me, bench players we never give playing time to? So Randle is going to walk and we get nothing? Towns antics are horrible but we only have David to show for it? TC painted himself in a corner and then made this horrible trade.

lol

Reid and Randle.

[shrink]

I didn’t believe it, but it’s apparently true! Here are the regular season games played in the last 5 seasons.

Towns 250 games
George 263 games
Porzingas 267 games
Embiid 275 games
Anunoby 277 games

For the record, Randle missed a lot of time last year, playing only 46 games. However, he still played 330 games over the last five. You never know if the most recent injury is the one a player never recovers from, but if he can get back to 100%, he has a better recent injury profile than KAT.

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

[Domejandro]

IOutside of Reid, bigs didn't match up on d in certain series'

Reid was, by far, our worst big defender in the Playoffs.

We don't beat Denver without KAT defending Jokic and we don't sweep Phoenix without KAT checking Durant.

Gobert couldn't keep up in screens & KAT couldn't rim protect. Reid was the best mix of those 2.

In addition to the offensive initiation improvement, while Randle may not be some notably good defender either, he provides more d versatility to the Wolves.

Overall there are more d options in the playoffs. Though I see a gap in small ball 4's, which existed before. I think someone sufficient of that profile ought to be addressed. Maybe trade Alexander-Walker. Could match up better w/ Luka's of the NBA.

Naz Reid is a largely hideous defensive player, that take is pretty off if I'm being honest.

[BlacJacMac]

IOutside of Reid, bigs didn't match up on d in certain series'

Reid was, by far, our worst big defender in the Playoffs.

We don't beat Denver without KAT defending Jokic and we don't sweep Phoenix without KAT checking Durant.

Gobert couldn't keep up in screens & KAT couldn't rim protect. Reid was the best mix of those 2.

In addition to the offensive initiation improvement, while Randle may not be some notably good defender either, he provides more d versatility to the Wolves.

Overall there are more d options in the playoffs. Though I see a gap in small ball 4's, which existed before. I think someone sufficient of that profile ought to be addressed. Maybe trade Alexander-Walker. Could match up better w/ Luka's of the NBA.

No.

Naz had a few highlight blocks, but his overall defense was, again, the worst of the 3.