The NBA preseason has officially begun. Five NBA squads kicked off exhibition play on Friday. One of the teams—the Minnesota Timberwolves—took on the Los Angeles Lakers. Minnesota defeated Los Angeles 124-107, led by a 22 point performance from Josh Minott. Although not official, Friday's tilt was the first contest held without Karl-Anthony Towns as a part of the roster in almost a decade.
Minnesota agreed to ship Towns to New York just over a week ago. In exchange for KAT, the Wolves received his replacement, Julius Randle, and the sharpshooting Donte DiVincenzo. Also included in the trade was former Minnesota second-rounder Keita Bates-Diop. The trade, while significant, failed to receive rave reviews from those around the league.
However, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst provided a different perspective from those in the media. Windhorst lamented that, despite losing Towns, many of the executives he spoke to around the NBA believed Minnesota had won the trade.
"I was kind of surprised ... at how many executives I talked to who felt like the Timberwolves won this trade." 👀
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 3, 2024
—@WindhorstESPN on how Julius Randle and Donte Divencenzo will fit with Anthony Edwards and the Wolves 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gxKfF3VgCY
Multiple executives feel Minnesota won the KAT trade
Windhorst used three points to praise the Timberwolves' trade. First, he mentioned that Minnesota did a fine job of finding Towns' replacement, Randle. Second, the Wolves added Donte DiVincenzo to ease the immediate burden of rookie Rob Dillingham. Third, the front office paved the way for financial flexibility in the future.
While KAT might be the bigger name, Randle's accomplishments aren't too far behind that of Towns. Randle has earned three All-Star appearances, to KAT's four. Furthermore, both players have notched two All-NBA appearances.
Next, adding DiVincenzo is one of the more underrated acquisitions. The 27-year-old is coming off the best season of his career. DiVincenzo averaged a career-high 15.5 points and 3.5 triples per game a season ago. The former Knick nailed 40.4 percent of his 8.7 three-point attempts per game. DiVincenzo is a deadly spot-up sniper who will help offset the loss of Towns' shooting prowess.
Finally, future financial flexibility was key in the makings of this trade. Although refuted by Chris Finch, the Wolves were able to rid themselves of KAT's gargantuan contract. Instead of being tied to Towns for four more seasons and $220 million, Minnesota now takes on DiVincenzo's modest sum and Randle's brief contract.
After generally negative and so-so reviews from the media, praise from executives around the league feels noteworthy. The Wolves are coming off their best season in nearly 20 years. A major swap was discussed early on, but nothing of such felt inevitable as the offseason marched on. Nevertheless, the front office felt sending Towns in a trade was in the franchise's best interest—present and future.