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[Saba Sports News] The Minnesota Timberwolves’ decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks has left fans with mixed emotions. Knicks fans are ecstatic to land a star, while Timberwolves fans are stunned, given Towns’ near-decade with the team.
Despite the sentimental value, keeping Towns was financially unsustainable for Minnesota, especially with rising costs tied to Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. With all three on max contracts, someone had to go.
This move wasn’t due to ownership being stingy but largely driven by the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which imposes penalties on teams crossing the “second apron” of the luxury tax.
Edwards just started his five-year max, Gobert has two years left on his max deal, and Towns was beginning a four-year, $220 million extension. On top of that, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid received significant raises, further tightening the team’s budget.
Hypothetically, had Minnesota chosen to keep Towns, they’d likely have had to part ways with Reid, who was a crucial bench player and last season’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year. While Reid’s current $15 million salary pales in comparison to Towns’, his looming long-term extension factored into the decision.
Additionally, the Timberwolves would have needed to let go of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Despite making just $4.3 million, Alexander-Walker has developed into a key three-and-D role player, and like Reid, he’s poised for a bigger contract.
Ultimately, the Timberwolves had to decide between keeping a top-heavy roster or maintaining depth. Opting for a more balanced and sustainable approach, they prioritized long-term team-building over short-term star power. It’s a hard reality for fans, especially given Towns’ deep ties to the community, but in the end, it’s all part of the business of winning in the NBA.