Celtics' Rival Pulls Off Blockbuster Trade as Season Nears

Jan 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks to drive past New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Jan 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks to drive past New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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The Knicks represent arguably the Celtics' top external threat in the Eastern Conference.

New York paid a premium to acquire Mikal Bridges, parting with four unprotected first-round picks, plus an unprotected pick swap in 2028 and a top-four protected first-round selection via the Bucks in 2025.

It's a steep price to pay for a 28-year-old wing who's yet to make an All-Star Game, but Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart give the Knicks one of the league's most impressive defensive trios. It's a triumvirate tailored to their efforts to topple the reigning NBA champions.

Furthermore, Bridges should benefit from his time as the top offensive option on the Nets. He and fellow former Villanova star Jalen Brunson will make life easier for each other on that end of the floor.

As the regular season nears, Boston's division rival is making a move to address its primary weakness.

Minnesota Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns reacts during the fourth quarter of a 2024 playoff game vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

According to Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the deal centers around New York acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick via the Pistons.

While that doesn't appear like a step forward for the Timberwolves from this author's perspective, the Knicks are now inserting a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection at center, the position of most concern after Isaiah Hartenstein signed with the Thunder. Furthermore, Mitchell Robinson is unlikely to make his season debut until December or January after suffering a stress injury to his left foot in the playoffs.

Towns is coming off an All-Star campaign in which he averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, converted on 41.6 percent of the 5.3 threes he hoisted, and played the best defense of his career.

Now, the New Jersey native returns home, teaming with Brunson to form a pick-and-pop tandem that could prove lethal. It's also a tactic that should work well with Towns and Bridges.

He also gives Tom Thibodeau, who the seven-foot-center is familiar with from their time together in Minnesota, the option of running double-big lineups with more size than when Randle was a part of those combinations. That could come in handy against the Celtics' pairing of Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

By no means is Towns flawless, but he is an upgrade for a team with a defensive trio designed to get past Boston in a best-of-seven series and just added more offensive firepower to help achieve that mission.

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Hopes Launching 741 Inspires Athletes & Creators: 'Dedicated to That'

Jrue Holiday Sends Powerful Message as Lonnie Walker Fights for Roster Spot

Bulked Up Baylor Scheierman Learning from Celtics' Sharpshooter & Impressing Mazzulla

Jayson Tatum Shares a Part of Legacy He's Trying to Leave Behind

Lonnie Walker IV Shares Brad Stevens' Message & Outlook on Exhibit 10 Deal

Derrick White Voices His Loyalty to Boston After Signing Extension

Brad Stevens Gives Honest Thoughts on Celtics’ Sale & Luxury Tax Penalties

Jayson Tatum Discusses Balancing MVP and Title Chase and His Excitement to Start Over

Jayson Tatum Discusses Becoming an Author, Tatum 3s, 2K Cover, and More

Byproduct of New CBA Threatens Jordan Walsh's Roster Spot with Celtics


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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.