Karl-Anthony Towns bids farewell to Minnesota as Timberwolves-Knicks trade is finalized
Karl-Anthony Towns is parting ways with Minnesota, a place that will “always have a special spot in my heart.”
The announcement of Towns being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round draft choice surfaced last week. The significant trade was officially confirmed by the teams on Wednesday, leading to Towns’ farewell message to the state where he spent nine seasons.
“Nine years ago, I came to Minnesota as a young man with ambitions. I never anticipated that this would become my home, and its people would feel like family,” Towns expressed. “Your love, support, and steadfast loyalty have driven my journey and motivated me to become the best player I could be. I am grateful to my teammates, coaches, and the entire Timberwolves organization for the invaluable opportunities and experiences. I will treasure the friendships formed and the challenges we tackled together.”
Along with his message, a video showcasing his achievements in Minnesota accompanied Towns’ farewell. It highlighted his journey from being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft out of Kentucky to winning Rookie of the Year in 2016 and becoming the first center to win the 3-point contest at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
“To the fantastic fans, your support has meant everything to me. It pushed me both on and off the court. I will never forget it,” Towns remarked. “You will always be in my heart. Thank you for all you’ve done.”
The sentiment is mutual, as the Timberwolves shared various graphics on social media celebrating Towns’ contributions.
“Thank you for everything, 32,” the Timberwolves posted on X. “You will always be a member of the Wolves family.”
Towns’ trade comes after the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in two decades, where they were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks in five games. During his 573 regular-season games with the Timberwolves, Towns averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, receiving four All-Star selections (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024) and two All-NBA Third Team nominations (2018, 2022).
