Sales representative Karl-Anthony Towns says goodbye to the Timberwolves

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Karl-Anthony Towns said goodbye to the Timberwolves organization and the Minnesota region in a social media post on Wednesday, just minutes after his move to the New York Knicks became official, leading him to join his new teammates in training camp.

“To the Timberwolves family: Nine years ago, I came to Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home and its people my family. “Your love, support and unwavering loyalty fueled my journey and inspired me to be the best player I could be,” the four-time All-Star wrote on X along with an accompanying video. “You will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything.”

To the Timberwolves Family:

Nine years ago, I came to Minnesota as a young man with a dream. Little did I know that this place would become my home and its people my family. Your love, support and unwavering loyalty fueled my journey and inspired me to… pic.twitter.com/PP1pGzvGcx

— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) October 2, 2024

With the three-way blockbuster trade between the Wolves, Knicks and Charlotte Hornets finally completed, Towns can now join forces with his New York teammates, while two-time All-NBA forward Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo are the other players in the deal, can play with Minnesota. Charlotte received several future second-round picks because she stepped in to make the deal work financially.

Towns was photographed wearing a backwards Knicks cap at the team's training facility in suburban New York earlier this week. He is expected to speak to the media on Thursday for the first time since the trade in Charleston, where the Knicks are holding training camp.

The Knicks were somewhat cautious on the subject of Towns earlier in the week as the trade had not yet been completed. But they're slowly saying more about the different ways he can open up the team's offense with his ability to cruise the floor as a big-time sniper.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, who previously coached Towns in Minnesota, suggested his club could build on last season's top-10 offense by playing more five-out basketball this season.

And Knicks captain Jalen Brunson admitted he had been thinking about how this move could change his plan of attack against opposing clubs.

“Yeah, I’ve thought about it,” Brunson said of the potential for him and Towns to wreak havoc as a duo in pick-and-rolls. “Every time you add shooting, it opens up new possibilities. It adds another weapon and another way for us to exploit the defense.”

The Wolves and Knicks, who each finished with more than 50 wins last season, are scheduled to face each other in their preseason finale on Oct. 13 at Madison Square Garden.