Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns trade an all-time backfire after Knicks’ title, Julius Randle trade dump to Nets

Following the three-team trade on Monday that sent Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, all the Minnesota Timberwolves really have to show for their Karl-Anthony Towns trade is Donte DiVincenzo, who will probably be sidelined for the entirety of the 2026-27 season as he recovers from an Achilles injury suffered during the playoffs.

It’s been almost two years since the Timberwolves pulled off the Karl-Anthony Towns trade with the New York Knicks, receiving Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in return. In the time since then, the Wolves have had to watch the Knicks hoist the NBA championship trophy with Towns playing a starring role, and then they shipped off Randle in what amounts to a salary dump.

Of course, it hasn’t been all that bad for the Wolves. They did reach back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, one with Towns and one with Randle, and with Anthony Edwards emerging as a legitimate top-five player in the NBA.

But this past season, the Timberwolves failed to advance past the Western Conference Semifinals, and reports of Edwards’ growing concerns regarding the team’s roster, especially in light of the Knicks’ title with Towns, began to circulate.

The obvious plan in the immediacy is to move Naz Reid into the starting lineup at power forward alongside Rudy Gobert. Gobert has also been mentioned as a possible trade candidate, but he seems to be safe for now. Reid, on the other hand, has been in line for a larger role for quite some time. He’s been a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate and ready for a starting role.

As far as how the team’s depth looks with Reid expected to join the starters, second-year big man Joan Beringer should probably be expected to join the regular rotation.

In addition to the Randle deal, the Wolves also agreed to terms with Ayo Dosunmu, one of their own free agents and a revelation in the playoffs.

While it may look bleak at the moment, the final judgement of the Towns trade hinges on what else the Timberwolves can do and can they keep Edwards happy.

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