In early October 2024, the Knicks and Timberwolves made a huge hit deal. Nine seasons later, Minnesota parted ways with former #1 general pick Karl Anthony Towns.
New York swapped Julius Randle and Donte Divinsenzo for Minnesota. Early on, the deal appeared to support the Knicks, but changed later this season. Randle and Divincenzo are key parts of The Timberwolves’ roster, and New York is thriving as a team. Advances Wednesday’s Game 5, Donte Divinsenzo told media that trade between the Knicks and the Timberwolves “is a good advantage for both sides.”
The Timberwolves and Knicks made deep playoff runs after a preseason trade
Donte Divincenzo spoke with his former Knicks teammate
“I talk to them every day, but from a basketball perspective…it’s really cool to see the deals that happen in a place where you can control it as a victory for both sides…”#wolvesback pic.twitter.com/offkdhn915
– Andrew Dukovitz (@adukmen) May 14, 2025
Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Knicks and Timberwolves made a deal that shook their roster. New York has finally acquired a center with an offensive skill set at Karl Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves acquired Julius Randle and Donte Divinsenzo while Minnesota was trading cats for New York. It took Randle and Divinsenzo to find their place in the Minnesota rotation.
Both are key contributors to the Timberwolve in the 2025 playoffs. Julius Randle was undoubtedly the most reliable player in Minnesota this postseason. He averages 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and team-high 5.9 assists per game. Randle scored over 20 points in eight of 10 playoff games in 2025. After a 121-110 victory in the Game 5 vs Warriors, the Timberwolves punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
Donte Divincenzo Steal + Transition Dunk Wow pic.twitter.com/np03ga6oyr
– Timberwolves clips (@wolvesclips) May 15, 2025
Along with Randle, Donte Divinsenzo is an important work by the Timberwolves. His statistics are not as flashy as players like Anthony Edwards. But Divincenzo is tough and does dirty work from the bench. He averages 25.8 minutes per game this postseason. Julius Randle and Donte Divinsenzo helped the Timberwolves reach their second straight appearance in WCF.
So does the Knicks, along with the Timberwolves, who play often this postseason. They are one victory from the Eastern Conference Finals. New York bought the town of Karl Anthony from Minnesota in October. He has been a key player throughout the New York season and is part of why they look like the hottest team in the East. That’s why Minnesota’s Donte Divinsenzo believes that trade in October is a “win for both sides.” If both teams continue to play well, the Knicks and Timberwolves will be able to meet in the NBA Finals.
