The New York Knicks made a notable move to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but to complete the blockbuster trade, they needed the help of a third team—the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets facilitated the deal by absorbing players into their cap space, allowing the Knicks and Timberwolves’ salaries to match.
In exchange for this help, the Knicks sent three players—Charlie Brown Jr., DaQuan Jeffries, and Duane Washington Jr.—to Charlotte along with two second-round picks from New York and one from Minnesota.
As part of the deal, the Knicks also acquired the rights to James Nnaji, a young center from Nigeria, who was the 31st overall pick in the 2023 draft. Nnaji is currently overseas recovering from back surgery and is not expected to play in the NBA this season.
In addition to the third-team trade with the Hornets, the Knicks also sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a lottery-protected first-round pick to Minnesota in exchange for Towns. However, the trade had not been finalized in time for the start of Knicks’ training camp, which meant that Towns missed the first day of camp in Charleston. The team’s head coach, Tom Thibodeau, expressed confidence in the team’s future, as the addition of Towns bolsters their roster significantly.
Mikal Bridges, who recently joined the Knicks after his tenure with the Brooklyn Nets, shared his thoughts on his transition to the team. Bridges reflected on the difficulties he faced in Brooklyn, particularly dealing with the team’s losing streak and struggling with efficiency as the primary offensive option.
Now, with the Knicks, he is excited about a new role alongside All-NBA talents like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Bridges believes the presence of such star players will improve spacing and open up opportunities for the team. He also expressed excitement about reuniting with Brunson, his former Villanova teammate, and expects the chemistry between them to be seamless.
Bridges is expected to start in the backcourt with Jalen Brunson, a player he knows well. Both players have established a strong rapport from their time together at Villanova, which should help facilitate their transition to the Knicks.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks’ starting center, is recovering from ankle surgery and will miss the beginning of the season. He did not travel with the team to Charleston for training camp, as he is rehabbing at the team’s facilities in New York. While the exact timeline for his recovery remains unclear, sources suggest he may return by December or January, depending on the progress of his rehab.
The Knicks’ training camp in Charleston is their second consecutive year holding the camp there, and Thibodeau explained the decision was rooted in tradition. He fondly recalled the Knicks’ use of Charleston during his time as an assistant coach in the 1990s, describing it as a beautiful, relaxing environment where players could bond and enjoy team-building activities.
During camp, Thibodeau highlighted the versatility of the Knicks’ roster, particularly in terms of the backup point guard role. He praised the flexibility of players like Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Cam Payne, and Deuce McBride, who can all play both on and off the ball. This versatility is seen as a key strength for the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.
