D’Angelo Russell: Karl-Anthony Towns Will Be All-Star With Knicks After Rumored Trade

Jack MurraySeptember 30, 2024

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D’Angelo Russell projects sparks to fly for Karl-Anthony Towns in New York.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard took to social media to share his thoughts on Friday’s reported blockbuster trade that saw the Minnesota Timberwolves deal Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

Russell expressed confidence that Towns will have an impact by saying that the center “will be an All-Star” with his new team.

D’Angelo Russell @DloadingKAT gonna be an All-Star #CarryOn

Towns spent the first nine seasons of his career with Minnesota, where he earned four All-Star nods.

Towns’ most recent All-Star appearance came during the 2023-24 season, so becoming one for the Knicks would simply be a continuation of his current pace. However, Russell’s comment likely means that he believes that Towns can flourish with the Knicks and take his game to a new gear.

Russell is familiar with the New York landscape, having spent two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets. He had his only All-Star appearance with that franchise.

Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 62 games for Minnesota in 2023-24. He will fill in quite well for New York, who is expected to be without incumbent center Mitchell Robinson for the first few months of the 2024-25 season.

Towns will solidify himself in the team’s core and hope to lift the Knicks to new heights going forward. The franchise has reached the postseason in three of the last four seasons and has high expectations for 2024-25.

Russell’s Lakers, on the other hand, will enjoy having Towns out of the Western Conference.