Former Warriors champ calls Timberwolves title favorites after trading 'soft' Karl-Anthony Towns and adding Julius Randle

The Minnesota Timberwolves caused a buzz on social media on Friday when they traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle. New York’s package for “KAT” included Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick. The dust around the trade hasn’t settled yet and fans are already speculating which team came out better after the deal.

Nick Young, who won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2018, joined the legions of fans who analyzed the trade. “Swaggy P” had this to say on X, formerly Twitter:

“TWolve winning a chip if they get Randle they need a them thug buckets … they to soft down low kat [Towns] and Rudy [Gobert]”

Young may be right. Rudy Gobert won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award last season but isn’t a consistent inside threat. Gobert’s points in the paint usually come from lobs and follow-ups off misses.

Karl-Anthony Towns is an excellent low-post operator but too often settles for shots outside. The self-proclaimed “greatest big man shooter” hardly punishes smaller defenders in the low blocks.

Timberwolves fans in the playoffs weren’t happy when the 7-foot Towns had trouble scoring in the post against the 6-foot-8 PJ Washington.

Julius Randle has a more bruising game inside the paint. He relishes contact and doesn’t mind jostling the bigs under the boards. “Don Julio” though, like “KAT” could sometimes be content with outside shots.

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Julius Randle and the Timberwolves will host Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks in December

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks have a preseason game on Oct. 13. Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns, however, aren’t expected to suit up for that matchup.

Dec. 20, though, should be a game fans of both teams would likely encircle on their calendars. The Knicks will be in Minnesota to face the Timberwolves, the first regular season meeting between the two teams following the blockbuster trade.

It is still too early for fans to decide who between the Knicks and the Timberwolves won the trade. But the showdown should still catch a lot of attention due to its history and the players involved.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle will meet again on Jan. 17 for the rematch. This time, Madison Square Garden will host the head-to-head duel between the two stars.