NBA: hard blow for Rudy Gobert, who loses an important teammate in Minnesota before the start of the season

The period of big transfers, one month before the resumption of the NBA regular season, seemed likely to no longer hold any surprises. However, there was a sensation last night in the United States when the departure of the emblematic pivot of the Minnesota Wolves, Karl-Anthony Towns, was announced by Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

The latter, drafted in first position in 2015, represented the franchise for nine seasons and had created real chemistry with Frenchman Rudy Gobert last season, ending in the conference final against Dallas. At 28, he had carried the Wolves during one of the team’s best seasons in 20 years.

Happy New York?

Frustrated and probably surprised by this exchange, the main person reacted on his social networks. On X (formerly Twitter), the player with almost 22 points per game last season, expressed his amazement by simply writing “…”. Despite numerous rumors about a possible departure in recent seasons, KAT said he wanted to stay in Minnesota, especially since his contract ran until 2028.

In this story, there is a franchise that can rub its hands: the New York Knicks. Indeed, if Karl-Anthony Towns arrives, in exchange Julius Randle, unwanted for several seasons for New York fans, and Donte DiVincenzo take the opposite path towards Minnesota. A first round draft was also added to the trade. As a result, Rudy Gobert will form a new duo in the Wolves racket, with Julius Randle.

The 2024-2025 season begins on Tuesday, October 22 with the Knicks traveling to the defending champion, Boston, and the Timberwolves to the Los Angeles Lakers. Enough to quickly judge Towns’ contribution to his new team. And, perhaps, the lack in his old…