KAT for Randle seemed like a win for Minnesota—but history says otherwise

KAT for Randle: A Winning Trade or a Costly Gamble?

The Timberwolves’ surprising move of trading their drafted superstar Karl Anthony Towns for Julius Randle looked to be a good trade considering the players that were involved. Draft picks were summoned, rosters were shaken up, and the league’s landscape completely changed.

What’s the DEAL?

Early predictions say this trade is exactly what both teams needed to finally break through—but is it really all it’s cracked up to be? Let’s look at the complete deal.

1. The Knicks receive Karl-Anthony Towns and James Nnaji (from Charlotte).

2. The Wolves receive Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Keita Bates-Diop, along with a 2025 first-round pick originally owned by the Detroit Pistons, which comes with top-13 protection.

3. The Hornets receive DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown Jr., Duane Washington Jr., a 2025 second-round pick from Minnesota (least favorable of Denver or Philadelphia), a 2026 second-round pick via New York (originally Golden State’s), New York's own 2031 second-round pick, and $7.2 million from the Knicks to offset Brown and Washington’s salaries. 
   

   Washington is expected to be waived by the Hornets.

Reasons behind the DEAL

Despite all this, it's puzzling why Minnesota would make such a move. KAT was a key factor in them reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time in two decades and is considered to be the best three-point shooting big in history. They are also fresh off a successful playoff run and the Gobert-Towns combination was finally clicking. 

But one of the main reasons behind this event is the fact that the Wolves will have fewer worries after trading KAT's four-year, $220 million contract for Julius Randle's two-year deal worth $59 million. Many people have pointed out that Minnesota's main reason for this trade seems to be the apron restrictions, which helps explain their decision.

Money-driven Super Star Trades

These same scenarios have prompted teams to trade away superstars in recent years. While some have benefited from these moves, others regret their decisions. Let’s take a closer look at the teams that chose to part with their stars due to financial constraints:

1. Pierce and Garnett to Brooklyn

In a move that shocked the NBA, the Boston Celtics decided to trade their legendary duo, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. With both players nearing the end of their careers and hefty contracts that limited financial flexibility, the Celtics saw the need for a fresh start.

This pivotal trade netted Boston a treasure trove of assets, including three first-round picks and the right to swap another. By shedding the $28 million combined salary of Pierce and Garnett, the Celtics gained financial breathing room and set themselves up for a bright future.

While the Nets aimed for a quick championship with their new stars, the Celtics began a successful rebuilding process, ultimately leading to a new core that has kept them competitive in the Eastern Conference.

2. Shaquille O’Neal to Miami

Few could have predicted that the L.A. Lakers' triumphant partnership with Shaquille O’Neal would end on a sour note after three championship wins. Yet, the franchise chose to part ways with Big Diesel, opting instead to invest in Kobe Bryant as their future star. This pivotal decision sent O'Neal to the Miami Heat in exchange for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a first-round pick. 

While Miami celebrated a championship in 2006, the Lakers took almost a decade to acquire another complementary superstar to pair with Kobe so that they could win again.

3. Allen Iverson to Denver

In 2006, the Philadelphia 76ers traded their franchise star, Allen Iverson, to the Denver Nuggets, mostly because of money issues and disagreements within the organization. Iverson, who had been the face of the team for over a decade, was still under a big contract, and the Sixers weren’t willing to keep paying for a team that wasn’t winning.

In return, the Sixers got Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and two first-round picks—hardly a fair exchange for a player of Iverson’s talent. His trade marked the end of an era and sent the team into years of mediocrity. Without their leader, the Sixers struggled for years before starting their infamous "Process," leaving fans with a sense of loss and frustration over a move that felt like the beginning of a long, painful rebuild.

4. James Harden to Houston

Few could have anticipated that the Oklahoma City Thunder would let go of their rising star James Harden over Russell Westbrook, especially after reaching the NBA Finals in 2012. However, with a looming extension and the desire to keep their core intact, the franchise faced a tough decision.

Ultimately, the Thunder traded Harden to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and three first-round picks. By choosing to prioritize their financial flexibility over Harden’s potential max contract, OKC aimed to manage their salary cap while maintaining competitiveness.

While Harden flourished in Houston, winning MVP awards and leading the league in scoring, the Thunder found a way to stay relevant, using the draft picks to help build a strong team around Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. But in terms of success, Harden’s Rocket way surpassed what the Thunder have accomplished.

5. Jimmy Butler to Miami

The Philadelphia 76ers faced a crossroads when it came to retaining Jimmy Butler after the 2018-2019 season. Despite his critical role in the team's success, the financial implications of signing him to a max contract clashed with their plans to maintain flexibility with a young core.

Ultimately, the Sixers traded Butler to the Miami Heat in exchange for Josh Richardson and a 2021 second-round pick. By moving Butler, who was set to earn a substantial salary, Philadelphia aimed to balance their financial commitments while allowing their young stars, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, to develop without the pressure of a loaded roster.

While Butler thrived in Miami, leading them to the NBA Finals, the Sixers were plagued by injuries and internal conflicts. Many still question whether choosing Tobias Harris over Jimmy was one of the worst decisions ever. Just ask Butler.

History isn’t entirely kind to Minnesota’s choice to trade away their star player for financial relief. Some teams that opted for the financial aspect over keeping the star saw some success many years later. But the trend in championship teams is now leaning towards those that kept their drafted core intact– Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Boston.

While the motives behind such decisions vary, the reality remains: a gamble is still a gamble. In today’s NBA, success isn’t measured by the number of superstars on your roster but by the quality of players you can rely on during clutch moments.

Whether Minnesota won this trade is something only time will tell.