In a surprising move, the New York Knicks have acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a trade that sees Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle heading to Minnesota. This trade dismantles the Knicks’ much-anticipated “Nova Knicks” core, which was set to feature four former Villanova players—DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart—for the upcoming season. Fans had been excited to see this group come together, but the dream was cut short with DiVincenzo’s departure.
Mikal Bridges had been the Knicks’ major offseason acquisition from the Brooklyn Nets, joining fellow Wildcats Brunson and Hart. However, the team’s hopes of building around the former Villanova stars have shifted as they look to compete at a higher level with Towns, a four-time All-Star, now in the mix. Towns, who has averaged nearly 23 points and 10 rebounds per game during his career, adds a new dimension to the Knicks as they aim to become serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Despite Towns’ arrival, many Knicks fans were disappointed by the loss of DiVincenzo, who had become a fan favorite in his single season with the team. His standout performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, where he scored 39 points, solidified his status with fans, making his exit bittersweet.
On social media, reactions poured in, with many expressing sadness over the end of the “Nova Knicks” experiment. One fan lamented, “I am heartbroken Donte DiVincenzo is not a Knick,” while another expressed skepticism about transitioning to supporting Karl-Anthony Towns, noting, “DiVincenzo is perfect for the city and fanbase. KAT better show up every night.”
Towns himself seemed shocked by the trade, posting a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that he had no idea his time in Minnesota was coming to an end. Nonetheless, his addition to the Knicks roster signals a new direction for the franchise, one that could potentially push them into title contention.