Karl-Anthony Towns Returns to Minnesota: A Homecoming Full of Reflection and Firepower
When the Knicks and Timberwolves pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2024-25 season - sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns - it raised plenty of eyebrows. But nearly halfway through the season, it’s clear: both teams got exactly what they were looking for. The Knicks and Wolves are not just surviving - they’re thriving, with both squads reaching the Conference Finals in the 2025 playoffs.
And now, with the season in full swing, Towns has officially made his return to the city where his NBA journey began. Back in Minnesota for the first time since the trade, Towns didn’t just show up - he showed out. The former No. 1 overall pick dropped 40 points and grabbed 13 boards in a vintage performance that reminded everyone in the Target Center exactly what he once meant to the franchise - even if it came in a Knicks loss.
A Decade of Timberwolves Memories
Towns spent nine seasons in Minnesota, and his impact on the franchise is undeniable. From his Rookie of the Year campaign to multiple All-Star nods, he helped guide the Timberwolves through a transitional era - one that eventually led to a Western Conference Finals appearance and the rise of Anthony Edwards as the new face of the franchise.
After the game, Towns reflected on his time in Minnesota with heartfelt honesty.
“It’s always good to be appreciated, you know? There’s nothing more valuable in this league, in this job, than to be respected,” Towns said.
“I left my heart and soul here in Minnesota. For the fans - even after two seasons away - to respect me the way they do, think of me highly, appreciate what I left on the court, means a lot.
It really means a lot.”
That respect was on full display during his return, with the Minnesota crowd showing love to a player who helped carry the franchise through some of its most pivotal years.
From No. 1 Pick to Franchise Cornerstone
Drafted first overall in 2015 after a dominant one-and-done season at Kentucky, Towns entered the league as a foundational piece for a Timberwolves team still searching for post-Kevin Garnett identity. He joined forces with Andrew Wiggins on a youthful roster, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Jimmy Butler in 2017-18 that Towns got his first taste of playoff basketball.
After Butler’s departure, the Wolves hit another rough patch - until Anthony Edwards arrived in 2020. Since then, the franchise has been on an upward trajectory, making the postseason every year since 2022. Towns was a central figure in that resurgence, helping to stabilize a team that had long struggled for consistency.
While he may not be etched in stone as the greatest Timberwolf ever - that honor still belongs to Garnett, and Edwards is making his own strong case - Towns has a legitimate claim to being the third-most impactful player in franchise history.
A New Chapter in New York
Now in New York, Towns is carving out a new legacy. He’s quickly become one of the top players in the Eastern Conference and is on track for another All-Star selection.
His fit with the Knicks has been seamless - a stretch big who can space the floor, rebound, and provide a scoring punch from all three levels. For a Knicks team looking to break through to the NBA Finals, Towns might be the missing piece.
He’s under contract through the 2026-27 season, with a player option for 2027-28 worth $61.1 million. While there’s no indication of a return to Minnesota in the near future, the door isn’t completely closed. Towns could very well choose to finish his career where it all began - in the city that watched him grow from a promising rookie into a franchise centerpiece.
But for now, he’s wearing orange and blue, and the Knicks are all-in on chasing a title with Towns as a cornerstone. And if his 40-point performance in Minnesota is any indication, he’s still got plenty left in the tank - and something to prove.