"Shocked, flabbergasted" - Karl-Anthony Towns makes his initial feelings known about Knicks trade

The Minnesota Timberwolves shocked the NBA by agreeing to trade Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks just as training camp started. Towns, the No. 1 pick in 2015, had been with the Timberwolves for the first nine years of his career.

He was selected to his fourth All-Star game last season but Minnesota still sent him East in a deal that included the Charlotte Hornets.

On Thursday, Towns appeared for the first time as a player for the Knicks. In his first media engagement with his new team, “KAT” was asked about his candid reaction following the trade. Tows responded (:29 mark):

“Shocked, flabbergasted would be the word more correct.”

Minnesota’s decision to trade Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t make basketball sense. Financially, the move was the right one. Towns' five-year, $220 million contract kicks in starting this season. The same happens to Anthony Edwards’ even larger five-year, $244 million deal. “KAT” is in the books for $49 million while “Ant-Man” earns $42 million for the 2024-25 campaign.

The Timberwolves also have to deal with Rudy Gobert’s $43 million this season and a $46 million player option in 2025-26. Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Towns-Edwards contracts alone could see Minnesota’s luxury tax bill rise to $100 million this season. According to the analyst, the “next few years are potentially monetarily punishing.”

Minnesota received Julius Randle, Donte DiVicenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round pick in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.

Despite shock, Karl-Anthony Towns wrote a long and heartfelt message to the Timberwolves

Karl-Anthony Towns played nearly a decade for the franchise that drafted him. Although initially shocked, the All-Star center had nothing but appreciation and gratitude for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Towns wrote on X, formerly Twitter, once the deal became official:

“Nine years ago, I arrived in Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home, and its people would become my family. Your love, support, and unwavering loyalty have fueled my journey and inspired me to be the best player I could be.”

“Thank you to my teammates, coaches, and the entire Timberwolves organization for the countless opportunities and experiences. I'll cherish the friendships I've made and the battles we've fought together.”

Karl-Anthony Towns ended the letter by saying that the Timberwolves and their fans “hold a special place in my heart.”