KAT never wanted to leave Minnesota, ‘still numb’ to be in another jersey

It has now been almost three months since Karl-Anthony Towns was traded to the Knicks, but the shock of the move has not completely left the former Timberwolves star.

KAT’s time in Minnesota, and the unexpected trade in late September that ended his nine-year Wolves tenure, came back into full focus Thursday night in his highly anticipated return to Target Center. There was a lot of emotion for both Towns and the fans who cheered him on for so many years. After much reflection throughout the day and a few tribute videos to start the night, KAT went out and dominated, putting up 32 points, 20 rebounds and 6 assists at ridiculous efficiency in a win in New York.

He then reflected a bit more after the game, expressing how much the trade caught him off guard.

“There was no part of me that was willing to leave,” Towns shared Athletics’ Jon Krawczynski. “And life had a different path for me. I was shocked. I’m still shocked, I’m in a different shirt.”

It was abundantly clear Thursday — and long before — how much Minnesota meant to Towns. He grew up in the state and went from a 19-year-old no. 1 overall pick in 2015 for a 28-year-old who helped lead the Wolves to the Western Conference Finals earlier in the year. He went through a lot, from the loss of Flip Saunders before his rookie year to the loss of his mother in 2020. Cities always embraced Minnesota and built so many connections here, making it feel like home for the New Jersey native.

“I was obligated to retire here,” Towns told Krawczynski. “I was committed to playing the rest of my career here and my family was on board and my friends were on board.”

The wolves had other plans. For reasons that were as much about the salary cap and second apron and future financial flexibility as they were about basketball, Tim Connelly dealt Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a draft pick.

A game, or even a third of a season, doesn’t mean the trade failed, but it’s certainly worked out better for Towns and the Knicks so far. KAT is averaging 25 and 14 while shooting 46 percent from three for a New York team that is third in the East. Meanwhile, Randle has been inconsistent and DiVincenzo has been disappointing for a Wolves team that has struggled quite a bit on offense.

It all came to a head Thursday night when Towns destroyed his former team with a performance that had to feel pretty charitable.

“That win was very important, something we’re very grateful for,” Towns said. “So you know this game wasn’t just another game. If anyone told you otherwise, they’re lying.”

The Wolves will look to shake this one off and bounce back on Saturday against the Warriors. There is plenty of time to write the story of this team. But after a game like that from KAT, it’s hard not to think about what this season — and Thursday night — might have been like if the trade had never been made.

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