It's been over a year since the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a protected first-round pick. Although a lot has happened since then, and the players involved have grown accustomed to their new teams, the effects of the trade still linger for Towns.
After New York beat Minnesota 137-114 on Wednesday night, Towns said that he was still "stunned" by the trade. He admitted that it still doesn't feel right not to see a Timberwolves jersey with his name on the back:
"I feel more like a Knick now after everything we went through last year, but it's weird to see that Wolves jersey -- especially the fire black one -- and not see 'Towns' on the back of it."
Towns spent the first 10 seasons of his NBA career in Minnesota after the organization drafted him with the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft. He, like everyone else, was blindsided by the trade.
What was a regular Friday night for him turned into chaos when Tim Connelly stopped by his house to tell him personally about the trade. Towns went from preparing for the 2024-25 season with the Timberwolves to catching a flight to New York, where it took a few days for the trade to become official. He missed the start of training camp with the Knicks.
Towns truly believed that he would spend the entirety of his career in Minnesota.
Karl-Anthony Towns says he's still 'stunned' by Timberwolves trade
Hearing KAT say that it's still weird for him not to be part of Minnesota's organization anymore makes the trade feel like it just happened yesterday. He nearly referred to himself and the Timberwolves as "we" in his postgame interview on Wednesday. Minnesota will always be home for him.
He's playing a lot closer to the home where he grew up, as he's from New Jersey. KAT said after the trade how much it meant for him to be surrounded by his family, but that doesn't mean he doesn't miss the family that he built in Minnesota.
It still feels strange to see Towns represent New York, and that may never change. You can't erase a decade that easily.
Timberwolves fans will continue to root for KAT from afar, with Wednesday being the exception. And maybe one day, he'll find himself back in Minnesota, not just on the opposing sideline.