After days of speculation and anticipation, the blockbuster trade involving Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Karl-Anthony Towns has finally been completed. Initially reported last Friday night, the deal took time to finalize, but the wait is now over as the trade has officially been confirmed. Fans and analysts alike had been eagerly following the developments, and now the finalized deal sets the stage for a major shake-up across the teams involved.
As part of the finalized trade, the Charlotte Hornets played a key role in facilitating the deal between the two primary teams. In return for their involvement, the Hornets will receive three second-round picks—two of which come from the New York Knicks—along with players DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown, and Duane Washington Jr. This adds valuable future assets and depth to the Hornets’ roster as a result of their assistance in the trade.
In the finalized version of the trade, the Knicks will also acquire James Nnaji, the 31st pick from the 2023 NBA draft. The 6’11” center is considered a raw prospect, still needing development before being NBA-ready. However, scouts see defensive potential, athleticism, and energy in the Nigerian national, comparing him to players like Clint Capela and the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson. While Nnaji may be a few years away from joining an NBA roster, he adds value as a potential future contributor or trade asset.
Charlotte is also trading James Nnaji – the No. 31 pick in the 2023 NBA draft – to New York to finalize the trade, sources tell me, @JonKrawczynski and @FredKatz. https://t.co/7RFRIl7apN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 2, 2024
Nnaji is an interesting prospect — the 31st pick in the 2023 draft who has spent the past year-plus overseas. A 6-foot-11 center, he’s an intriguing long-term bet by the Knicks. https://t.co/nbhW6iawMF
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) October 2, 2024
The trade also sheds light on the salary cap effects. As Sam Quinn from CBS notes, the Knicks, under Leon Rose, have skillfully managed the cap. Despite Karl-Anthony Towns’ hefty contract, they are positioned to stay under the second apron for the next two seasons. While they’ll likely exceed the second apron in 2027 and 2028, they’ll be below it again when Towns’ contract expires.
I’m looking at the Knicks’ books a bit more closely now, and man, they executed this thing flawlessly on the cap side.
They can stay under the second apron this year and next. Then they go above in 27+28. Then KAT expires and they duck back below before any picks move to No. 30.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 1, 2024
As several have noted, this now permits the Knicks to retain Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson for the next four years, all of whom are still at the top of their game. Sadly, the Knicks were unable to get another center who was ready for the NBA in exchange, despite what some had hoped. With Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims serving as the only backup centers, the Knicks appear to be entering one of the most significant and anticipated seasons in the team’s history, with Robinson’s comeback still uncertain owing to his injury and trade rumors.
The New York Knicks managed to increase their payroll in both the Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges trades despite being an apron team.
They did this by inflating their outgoing salary required with every remaining free agent from last year they had some form of Bird rights…
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) October 2, 2024
However, now that the deal is official, everyone can proceed. Towns can join the club for training camp, but Randle and DiVincenzo can start for Minnesota. And maybe Jalen Brunson and Tom Thibodeau will finally talk to us more about the move.
Leave a Reply