The Knicks became the true center of the basketball world Friday night.
In what was a stunning move, the team acquired Karl-Anthony Towns from the Timberwolves in a deal sending Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick via Detroit to Minnesota.
Not unsurprisingly, Knicks fans on social media had plenty to say amid the surprising news.
Some were saddened by the breakup of the Villanova Knicks, which include DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
“We didn’t even see 1 minute of the Nova Knicks,” wrote on fan on X with a sad GIF from the show “The Boys.”
“I am devastated,” wrote Knicks Muse.
“THE KNICKS DID WHAT,” wrote writer Shea Serrano.
Ryen Rusillo, a podcast host at The Ringer, lauded the Knicks for making the move.
“Talent in vs. talent out, it’s a win for NY,” he wrote. “I’m not the biggest KAT fan but he’s a better fit with his spacing and accepting his role to keep things open for Brunson than the ball stopping we might have seen w/ Randle. KAT has better health track record and fits a need if they play him at the 5.”
One NBA fan, however, seemed to think the Knicks were on the losing end of the deal.
“The Knicks just got fleeced,” they wrote on X.
John Jastremski, a New York sports personality at SNY and The Ringer, had mixed feelings about the deal but overall felt it was positive.
“Holy s–t,” he wrote. This trade blew my mind… Towns instead of Randle is very preferable. Hate losing Donte, but after the last few years how do you not trust this regime?”
It’s been a busy offseason with a lot of turnover for the Knicks, who have now seen key pieces in Randle, DiVincenzo (Minnesota) and Isaiah Hartenstein (Oklahoma City) depart.
But the additions of Bridges from the Nets and Towns from Minnesota have infused some talent into a team that was one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
