New York, NY – The Charlotte Hornets are set to make significant moves in the NBA trade market, acquiring multiple players and draft picks as part of a trade involving Karl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo. This trade, reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, will see the Hornets receive DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown, and Duane Washington Jr. from the New York Knicks, along with two second-round draft picks from the Knicks and one from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In exchange, the Knicks will acquire the services of Karl-Anthony Towns and the draft rights of James Nnaji, while the Timberwolves will receive Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a 2025 first-round pick. The Hornets’ haul includes a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown Jr., Darius Washington, and $7.2 million in cash.
The trade comes after successful seasons for both the Knicks and Timberwolves, with New York making a deep playoff run despite facing key injuries, and Minnesota reaching the Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves decided to part ways with Towns and Rudy Gobert after a two-year experiment, opting to rebuild their roster with assets acquired in the trade.
Randle, a valuable asset for the Knicks, averaged 24 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season, while DiVincenzo provided solid contributions with 15.5 points per game and a career-high 40.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Towns, joining an up-and-coming Knicks team led by Jalen Brunson, adds another star player to the roster and opens a window of opportunity for the team to compete for a championship.
Although the Hornets did not land any major stars in the trade, they bolstered their future prospects by acquiring valuable draft picks. With a focus on long-term growth and development, the addition of multiple picks can provide the team with flexibility and strategic options as they navigate the competitive landscape of the NBA.