The NBA season is kicking off, and excitement is in the air! With teams gearing up for another year, confidence is high, especially for those like the Minnesota Timberwolves who are fresh off a remarkable season.
Last year, the Timberwolves made waves by reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time in two decades. Now, they’re determined to take the next step, but they’ll face some obstacles, including the unexpected departure of All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns.
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The shocking trade last week sent Towns to the New York Knicks along with the draft rights to James Nnaji from the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Timberwolves secured Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a protected first-round pick from the Pistons.
The Hornets also got a haul of draft picks and cash in the mix, making it a complex deal all around.
Not everyone in the Timberwolves organization was pleased with the trade. All-Star guard Anthony Edwards expressed his surprise and disappointment over losing a close friend. He told reporters, “I think everybody knows [Towns] is my brother… it definitely hurts, but it’s a business.”
Despite the shake-up, the T-Wolves are viewed as strong contenders for the 2025 NBA title. Team president Tim Connelly sees this as an opportunity for Edwards to elevate his game even further.
Connelly remarked, “We continue to challenge [Edwards] because we think he can be one of the best players ever, and with that comes tremendous responsibility.”
Edwards responded by emphasizing the importance of hard work and belief in one’s abilities, stating, “If it don’t happen, it don’t. If it do, it do. Probably will.”
While the Timberwolves face challenges ahead, with Edwards stepping up, they could find themselves right in the midst of the action when it counts the most.
More news: Knicks Stars React to Blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns Trade