It’s been one year and one week since Karl-Anthony Towns traded in his snow boots for Broadway lights. One year since the Timberwolves and Knicks shocked the league with the blockbuster that sent KAT to New York in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and the draft pick that became rookie Joan Beringer. One year since Minnesota fans woke up wondering if they’d just traded away their franchise cornerstone or escaped salary-cap hell with seconds to spare.
Now, the reunion’s here. Wolves vs. Knicks. Towns vs. his old crew. Randle’s revenge game. A meaningless preseason matchup… that absolutely means something.
The Trade Heard Around the World
Let’s rewind to October 2024. The Wolves were a team on the rise but trapped in the financial labyrinth known as the second apron. Tim Connelly saw the storm coming. Towns’ contract was a luxury-tax time bomb. Keeping him alongside Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and the rest of the core would’ve pushed the Wolves into a financial zone so dangerous it would make even the Lakers flinch.
So Connelly did the unthinkable: he called up the Knicks.
Fans were gutted. You don’t just move on from your decade-long franchise face overnight. But here’s the crazy thing: it worked out for both sides.
A Year Later: Everyone’s Eating
The Wolves didn’t fall off. Despite a season-long flirtation with the play-in round, they clawed back to a second consecutive Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards leveled up again, Gobert stayed healthy, and Julius Randle finally clicked and embraced his role as Minnesota’s #2.
Meanwhile, the Knicks also reached the Conference Finals before running into the buzzsaw known as Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers.
Here’s the fun “what if” that nobody talks about: if both teams had just won one more series, we would’ve gotten Timberwolves vs. Knicks in the 2025 NBA Finals. Imagine that…
It would’ve been chaos. It still might be.
This preseason matchup doesn’t count for anything, but it feels like a teaser trailer for something we might see in June 2026.
The Bottom Line
It’s Wolves-Knicks, one year later. A reunion. A “what if.” A little preseason nostalgia sprinkled with future Finals intrigue. It doesn’t count in the standings, but it counts in all the ways that actually matter: pride, validation, and petty satisfaction.
So tune in. The basketball gods were favorable to us and put this must-watch matchup on NBA TV. For those of you who prefer your mind’s eye instead of a screen, you can also listen to the game on KFAN FM, the Wolves app, or iHeart Radio. Because someday, when the Wolves and Knicks actually meet in June, we’ll look back at this meaningless October night at Madison Square Garden and say, “That’s where it started.”
And for those of you trying to watch every second of Wolves basketball this season, FanDuel Sports Network North is offering a 30-day free trial for Wolves fans. Use the promo code SBNFALL30 and lock it in now.
Because let’s face it—this season’s shaping up to be epic, and you don’t want to miss the sequel.
It’s been one year and one week since Karl-Anthony Towns traded in his snow boots for Broadway lights. One year since the Timberwolves and Knicks shocked the league with the blockbuster that sent KAT to New York in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and the draft pick that became rookie Jean Baringer. One year since Minnesota fans woke up wondering if they’d just traded away their franchise cornerstone—or escaped salary-cap hell with seconds to spare.
Now, the reunion’s here. Wolves vs. Knicks. Towns vs. his old crew. Edwards vs. Madison Square Garden. Randle’s revenge game. A meaningless preseason matchup… that absolutely means something.
And yes, the basketball gods have done us a favor: this one’s on NBA TV. Finally, a preseason game you can actually watch without digging through Reddit threads and questionable streaming links.
The Trade Heard Around the (Cold) World
Let’s rewind to October 2024. The Wolves were a team on the rise but trapped in the financial labyrinth known as the second apron. Tim Connelly—Minnesota’s front-office wizard and resident capologist—saw the storm coming. Towns’ contract was a luxury-tax time bomb. Keeping him alongside Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and the rest of the core would’ve pushed the Wolves into a financial zone so dangerous it made even the Lakers flinch.
So Connelly did the unthinkable: he called up the Knicks.
New York, desperate for another All-Star to pair with Jalen Brunson, said, “Yes, please.” Minnesota shipped KAT east, and in return got Julius Randle (an emotional rollercoaster disguised as a power forward), Donte DiVincenzo (a Villanova guy—so, automatically a chemistry guy), and the 18th pick that became Jean Baringer (aka “French Naz Reid Jr.”).
Fans were gutted. You don’t just move on from your decade-long franchise face overnight. But here’s the crazy thing: it worked out for both sides.
A Year Later: Everyone’s Eating
The Wolves didn’t fall off. Despite the usual midseason drama and a few “is Finch safe?” whispers, they clawed back to a second consecutive Western Conference Finals. Anthony Edwards leveled up again, Gobert stayed healthy, and Naz Reid kept being everyone’s favorite “if he played in New York, he’d be an All-Star” guy.
Meanwhile, the Knicks finally felt like the Knicks. Towns thrived under Tom Thibodeau’s structured chaos, Brunson made another leap, and Madison Square Garden turned into a Broadway version of Target Center—with fewer flannel shirts and more expensive cocktails. New York reached the Eastern Conference Finals before running into the buzzsaw known as Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers.
Here’s the fun “what if” that nobody talks about: if both teams had just won one more series, we would’ve gotten Timberwolves vs. Knicks in the 2025 NBA Finals. Imagine that. KAT vs. Ant. Randle vs. New York. It would’ve been chaos. It still might be.
This preseason matchup doesn’t count for anything—but it feels like a teaser trailer for something we might see in June 2026.
The Subplots
1. The Karl-Anthony Towns Revenge Factor
You know KAT’s circling this one. Even if it’s just preseason, the man’s wired for pride. Expect a few early fadeaway jumpers and at least one “y’all miss me yet?” glance toward the Wolves bench.
2. Julius Randle’s Return to the Garden
Randle’s relationship with Knicks fans was always complicated—like watching Ross and Rachel argue for 10 seasons straight. But this is a chance for him to walk into MSG with the swagger of “I told you so.” Expect some side-eye from the crowd and maybe a few passive-aggressive boos.
3. The Backup Point Guard Battle
Mike Conley Jr. remains the steady hand, but who’s next in line? Bones Hyland looks like the early favorite—he’s been confident, creative, and occasionally reckless in all the fun ways. Rob Dillingham’s struggled, but the Garden’s been good to him before. If there’s any place for a comeback game, it’s here.
4. Johnny Juzang: The Human Heat Check
Every team has a “why isn’t he playing more?” guy. For Minnesota, it’s Johnny Juzang. After lighting up Indiana like a Netflix Christmas tree, Juzang’s fighting for that 15th roster spot. If he hits a couple of threes tonight, Wolves Twitter will go full “Start Johnny!” mode by morning.
The Bigger Picture
Let’s be honest: preseason basketball is glorified stretching. No one’s diving for loose balls or running switch-heavy defenses. But it’s also where identity starts forming. The Wolves can’t afford to coast—not in the West, not with Ant’s prime knocking. The Thunder and Pacers just proved what happens when young teams play with relentless energy.
If the Wolves want to go from “really good” to “title contender,” it starts in games like this—finding rhythm, building cohesion, and setting the tone.
The Bottom Line
It’s Wolves-Knicks, one year later. A reunion. A “what if.” A little preseason nostalgia sprinkled with future Finals intrigue. It doesn’t count in the standings, but it counts in all the ways that actually matter: pride, validation, and petty satisfaction.
So tune in. NBA TV, KFAN FM, the Wolves app—whatever you’ve got. Because someday, when the Wolves and Knicks actually meet in June, we’ll look back at this meaningless October night at Madison Square Garden and say, “That’s where it started.”
And for those of you trying to watch every second of Wolves basketball this season, FanDuel Sports Network North is offering a 30-day free trial for Wolves fans. Use the promo code SBNFALL30 and lock it in now.
Because let’s face it—this season’s shaping up to be epic, and you don’t want to miss the sequel.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots the ball againts Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the second quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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