The Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks orchestrated a blockbuster trade in the 2024 offseason. The trade sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Big Apple, while Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo went to Minnesota.
It has been one of the rare trades that worked out for both sides. Randle and DiVincenzo are in the Western Conference Finals with the Timberwolves, while the Knicks are on the brink of reaching it, as they have a 3-2 lead against the Boston Celtics.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) celebrates with forward Julius Randle (30) during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
DiVincenzo and Randle had slow starts to the 2024-25 season, as they tried to integrate themselves as big pieces on the team immediately. As the season progressed, they became big reasons behind their success.
The 2025 Playoffs have been fantastic for the Timberwolves, especially Randle. He is arguably the best player on the Timberwolves, as he has been more consistent than Anthony Edwards. That is a testament to their success in the second half of the season.
DiVincenzo Still Keeps Up With His Knicks and Villanova Teammates
Since he has a strong connection with the players on the Knicks roster dating back to his days at Villanova University, DiVincenzo still speaks to them.
Names like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges are still interacting with him, which is exciting because they are in the hunt for Conference Finals on both sides.
People point to this when saying that both teams won the trade. Randle and DiVincenzo have thrived in Minnesota, while Towns has been awesome for the Knicks.
"I talk to them every day but from a basketball standpoint. It's really cool to see a trade that happens when you can rule it as a win-win for both sides," Donte said ahead of Game 5.
It is hard to argue against Donte's point because the Timberwolves have been superb after this trade. They have reached the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year, even after KAT was shipped to New York.
The Timberwolves Have Been Superb With Their Roster Moves
Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, has been awesome with his decisions through the years. Getting Rudy Gobert, Randle, and DiVincenzo proves his excellence in how he builds around a superstar like Edwards.
At the same time, he also got useful role players like Mike Conley Jr. and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It is a fantastic way to build a team because they are a deep team with a superstar to build around.
Players like Randle and Naz Reid can step up when needed, but most of the time it's Edwards who leads them. In these Playoffs, Edwards and Randle have been spectacular, as they are in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive season, but this time, with a new and improved roster.
On the other hand, the Knicks are nearing the Conference Finals stage in the East, which could be a sign that both Connelly and Knicks president Leon Rose have done magnificent jobs to help each other's team.