Karl-Anthony Towns remained steadfast and loyal to the Minnesota Timberwolves during his first nine seasons in the NBA.
However, the team decided last week to send him to the New York Knicks.
That may end up being the right move for the Timberwolves, but it wasn’t an easy one.
In a video shared by New York Basketball, Timberwolves president Tim Connelly spoke about Towns and how much he meant to the team.
“We had to give up one of the best players that’s ever put on a Timberwolves jersey,” Connelly said.
He added that he wanted to “let New York know they got a special guy.”
“We had to give up one of the best players that’s ever put on a Timberwolves jersey…Just want to let New York know they got a special guy”
— Timberwolves president Tim Connelly on Karl-Anthony Towns pic.twitter.com/zRtPp0wWFB
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 3, 2024
Connelly made sure fans knew that Towns was a great player but an even better person.
He added to the team’s culture and stuck it out with them through thick and thin.
When Towns first joined the Timberwolves in 2015-16, the team was much worse than it is now.
They weren’t considered playoff contenders and everyone knew they were a work in progress.
Towns got right to it, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in his opening season and earning Rookie of the Year.
He was always committed as the team rose through the ranks and added more talent.
But the NBA is a tough business and the Timberwolves felt it was time to say goodbye to Towns.
However, this comment from Connelly makes it clear that the team will always respect him and he will receive a warm welcome the next time he visits, even though they will now be trying to beat him.
NEXT: Julius Randle Breaks Silence About Trade To Timberwolves
