'Stunned' Karl-Anthony Towns says he wasn't 'willing to leave' in bold post-trade admission

On Thursday, New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns received a warm welcome from fans at Target Center for his first game back in Minnesota. Since he was traded before Media Day, last night's game was the first time Towns faced the Timberwolves.

Following the game, the former franchise star for the Wolves expressed his thoughts on the trade. According to him, he's still stunned that Minnesota tradedd him away, noting that he wanted to stay with the organization.

KAT revealed that he had no interest in leaving Minnesota. However, the Knicks and Wolves found a way to put him in a different team.

"There was no part of me that was willing to leave. And life had a different path for me. I was stunned. I’m still stunned I’m in a different jersey," KAT said.

The Knicks star was welcomed with open arms by fans, staff and his former teammates. The Wolves presented a video tribute to Towns during the player introductions.

Towns had his revenge against his former team as he led the Knicks to a 133-107 win. The big man posted 32 points, 20 rebounds and six assists on 83.3% shooting from the field. KAT's rebounding game gave the team the much-needed boost in the rebounding department as they had 57 boards.

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Karl-Anthony Towns is still a fan of the Wolves despite the trade

Karl-Anthony Towns holds no bad feelings toward the organization that drafted him. The big guy walked to the arena alone before his comeback game against Minnesota to think back on his nine years as a team star.

After the game, he spoke to reporters about his feelings regarding the Wolves.

"I'm an avid Timberwolves fan, so I watch a lot of the games when I get a chance," Towns said. "They're still my brothers. They're still my guys. Just because a trade happened, doesn't mean I lost love for them. The brotherhood is always going to be there."

New York's newest star was asked if he missed Minnesota. Without hesitation, the star said:

"Of course. I was here nine years. That's a long time I had called this place home."

In the nine seasons he was with the Wolves, Towns averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He was named an All-Star four times and an All-NBA player two times.