The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a blockbuster trade to acquire All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday evening. This deal will likely have significant implications for fantasy basketball.

The trade would send Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the North Star State, while Towns would go to the Big Apple. The Timberwolves will also receive a top-13 protected first-round pick from the Knicks over the Detroit Pistons in 2025. The Charlotte Hornets are the third team in the deal, according to sources, and are expected to receive preliminary compensation.

How will the transaction play out for both teams involved? Let’s see.

Can cities thrive in New York?

The Knicks had a clear need at center, especially with Isaiah Hartenstein leaving for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Mitchell Robinson sidelined until December after ankle surgery. New York was faced with a center rotation of Precious Achiuwa, Jericho Sims and Julius Randle. Now they would have one of the league’s best centers in Towns, who also has the versatility to play power forward when needed.

Last season, Towns averaged 21.8 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.0 APG and 2.2 three-pointers in 32.7 minutes per game. From a fantasy perspective, the biggest advantage is that he no longer has to share the floor with Rudy Gobert, who limited his ceiling. Reuniting with head coach Tom Thibodeau could also increase Towns’ value. He averaged 23.0 PPG and 12.3 RPG in 204 games under Thibodeau from 2016 to early 2019, becoming one of only three players during that span to score at least 4,000 points and 2,000 rebounds. Towns has the potential to provide first-round fantasy value again, similar to his performance before sharing the court with Gobert.

Cities tend to struggle defensively, but these issues can be solved with the right personnel, and the Knicks have that. With strong perimeter defenders like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Miles McBride, Towns joins an ideal roster that complements his skill set, allowing him to thrive as a big man in a more aggressive defensive scheme.

Randle’s departure means 35.4 minutes per game, and one player who could immediately benefit is Hart. Last season he averaged 9.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 4.1 APG and 1.0 SPG while shooting 43.4% from the field. Hart is one of the best pure rebounders in the league, and if his shooting improves, his fantasy value could get a significant boost. Unlike Achiuwa, Hart can consistently contribute to multiple stat categories. The Knicks player most negatively affected by this trade is Robinson. The center is not expected to play again until next year while he recovers from an ankle injury. He had the opportunity to play significant minutes, but Robinson’s injury history likely prompted Thibodeau and company to make the move.

How do Randle and DiVincenzo fit in Minnesota?

The Timberwolves would be bringing in two players who should fit seamlessly into their rotation. Randle averaged 24.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 5.0 APG for the Knicks in 46 games last season before suffering a dislocated shoulder. Even playing alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert, he should be able to maintain those averages in Minnesota. I do have a few concerns though. Over the past five seasons, Randle has averaged 8.3 isolations per game, the fourth-highest rate in the league during that span. He might not get as many iso plays with Edwards in the lineup.

I’m curious to see if Randle tries to make more three-pointers with the Timberwolves as his isolation options diminish. Last season, only 21% of his points came from beyond the arc. Another concern is Randle’s tendency to take questionable shots and dribble into traffic. That’s something he’ll have to hone in Minnesota. Randle also has a history with Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, who previously coached him as an assistant with the Pelicans during the 2018-19 season.

DiVincenzo brings value as one of the best shooting guards off the bench for a Timberwolves team that needs it now after losing Towns. Last season he averaged 15.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.7 APG and 1.3 SPG in 29.1 minutes. DiVincenzo also posted a career 21.8% usage rate and was third in the league in triples made, behind only Luka Doncic and Stephen Curry. He is fully capable of making an impact even in a bench role and should be someone to target in fantasy drafts right before the double-digit rounds.

Naz Reid is also benefiting from Towns’ departure. He should see plenty of minutes at power forward and center. Reid won the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, becoming the first Timberwolves player to do so. He posted career highs in nearly every category, including 13.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.0 BPG and 1.0 SPG while shooting 41.4% from three-point range. Reid could be an ideal partner for Gobert if they share the job. Whether he starts or not, Reid is a player fantasy managers should target in the double-digit rounds.

Are the Knicks legitimate contenders in 2024-2025?

The Knicks were already a contender in the East before Bridges was added this summer. With Towns on board, New York is even better positioned to compete with other top teams and potentially dethrone the Boston Celtics. They have built one of the most formidable starting lineups in the league, but have used most of their resources and roster flexibility to do so. It is critical that New York takes advantage of this window, and I believe we will see that urgency on the field.

The Knicks were +800 to win the NBA title before the trade at ESPN BET and their odds shifted to +750 after the deal, behind only the defending champion Celtics (+340) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (+700).

As the season approaches, betting on the Knicks (+750) for the championship and over 54.5 wins (-130) could be a good move.

This team is built for a deep playoff run and has a real shot at its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.