6-Year NBA Player Reportedly Being Traded To Minnesota Timberwolves

According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Keita Bates-Diop was added to the Knicks-Timberwolves trade.

Jan 24, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Keita Bates-Diop (21) dunks during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Keita Bates-Diop is coming off a season where appeared in 53 games (eight starts) for the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns.

He finished the year with averages of 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest while shooting 43.4% from the field and 30.4% from the three-point range.

Over the offseason, Bates-Diop was traded to the New York Knicks.

Feb 27, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Keita Bates-Diop (13) shoots the ball during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

However, Bates-Diop will not end up playing for the Knicks, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reports that he is being included in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.

Via Krawczynski: "Keita Bates-Diop is coming back to where it all started. He is being included in tonight's Knicks-Wolves blockbuster, a source said. Bates-Diop was drafted by the Wolves in the second round in 2018."

Keita Bates-Diop is coming back to where it all started. He is being included in tonight's Knicks-Wolves blockbuster, a source said. Bates-Diop was drafted by the Wolves in the second round in 2018.

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) September 28, 2024

Bates-Diop was the 48th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Ohio State.

Over six seasons, he has spent time with the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets.

Jan 24, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Keita Bates-Diop (21) dunks during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

His career averages are 6.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest while shooting 47.4% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point range in 283 regular season games.

He also appeared in five NBA playoff games with the Nuggets during the 2020 season.

Here’s the Timberwolves cap sheet following the trade.

A couple things of note:

▶️ We now have 16 players on the roster, someone needs to go. Likely another deal coming as one of Keita Bates-Diop or P.J. Dozier will have a limited stay in Minnesota.

▶️ The Wolves save about… pic.twitter.com/woWqT1LMTr

— Tim Garrison (@TimGarrisonMN) September 28, 2024

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported more details on the deal.

Via Charania: "Knicks are sending salary -- including DaQuan Jeffries -- and draft compensation to Charlotte in three-team Karl-Anthony Towns/Julius Randle deal, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski."

Knicks are sending salary -- including DaQuan Jeffries -- and draft compensation to Charlotte in three-team Karl-Anthony Towns/Julius Randle deal, sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski. https://t.co/dP4x8dTvr9

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 28, 2024

The Timberwolves will open up their season on October 22 against the Los Angeles Lakers in California.