The vision is indeed vicious! A one-sided deal is now a win-win situation, and the Timberwolves make a lot of money!

Time returns to the middle of this season. Compared with the leading position last season, the Timberwolves' overall performance this year is not satisfactory. Not only has it been hovering outside the top six in the Western Conference, but it is also possible to miss the playoffs at one point. Therefore, many people angrily criticized the inaction of the Timberwolves' senior executives, believing that their sending Carl Anthony Towns away was a "self-destructive" transaction. However, as the season deepened, the Timberwolves also returned to the right path. Not only did they rank seventh in the Western Conference, but they also completed the following draw not long ago, defeated the Lakers and successfully advanced to the Western Conference semi-finals. Looking back at that transaction, it is definitely a win-win situation. Don’t believe it. Let’s talk about it with data and performance!

1. Julius Randle

Playoff data: 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists

First of all, let's talk about Randle. When the deal was reached last summer, many fans thought the Timberwolves were crazy. They let's not let it go, but they exchanged for a Randle. Indeed, Randle has become a first-class insider in the league during his years with the Knicks. In the 22-23 season, he can contribute 25.1 points, 10 rebounds and 4.1 assists, 3 times selected for the All-Star lineup, 1 time won the MIP trophy, and 1 time selected for the Best Third Team. His resume and data are not bad. But the problem is that Randall has been injured in recent years. After only 46 games in the 23-24 season, he was completely reimbursed for the season, and even missed the playoffs directly. In addition, after he played the 24-25 season, his contract expired, so this transaction is likely to be a waste of money. At the beginning of this season, Randle's performance was indeed not as good as Towns, and the help he gave to the team was also average, which seemed to confirm the speculation of the media and fans. But this is not the case. As the season deepens, Randall gradually finds his position.

This season, Randall, who is in a contract year, can contribute 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Although his data is not as good as the Knicks era, his overall efficiency is still good. He can be both inside and outside on the offensive end, and also has a good organizational connection. Overall, although he is not as good as Towns, he is only slightly inferior. In the playoffs, Randall's value was further proved. In the five games against the Lakers, Randall averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists per game, with shooting and three-point shooting percentages as high as 48.1% and 39.3% respectively. Except for the first game, Randall's score was not less than 22 points in the other five games, and his performance was excellent, making him second only to Anthony Edwards in the team. Moreover, when the score was tense, the team always let Randle play singles, and the effect was very good. It shared Edwards' offensive pressure and gave him the opportunity to make efforts in the fourth quarter. Although it is still unknown whether Randall will stay in the summer, the Timberwolves will not suffer any loss. After all, even if he leaves, the team will be able to get enough salary space and be able to sign a star player who will replace him.

2. Dont Divincenzo

Playoff data: 8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists

In addition, Divincenzo, who came with Randall, was somewhat unacceptable to the new team system at the beginning of the season, but as the season deepened, his performance became more and more outstanding. He played 62 games throughout the season, and most of his time appeared as a substitute. He averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 39.7%, and his output was also 174 three-pointers in the top 40 in the league. At the age of 28, he is still the first-class 3D player. After entering the playoffs, although the data was not that impressive, with 8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists per game, and a relatively average shooting percentage, it has to be said that Divincenzo's role is that the data cannot be fully displayed. Especially on the defensive end, the continuous consumption of Luca Doncic and LeBron James' physical fitness is the key to the Timberwolves being able to win the series. In the third game, he scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks alone, while in the fourth game, he scored 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals. In terms of data alone, it is enough to show his important role in the defensive end. In the next round, whether it is facing the Warriors or the Rockets, Divincenzo's defensive ability is the key to the team's victory.

3. Carl Anthony Towns

Playoff data: 21.6 points, 9 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Finally, let's talk about Towns, the No. 1 pick who has been guarding the Timberwolves for 9 years, after coming to the Knicks, although he was reluctant to part with the team, it has to be said that Towns, who joined New York, has indeed received more attention. This season, he played 72 games with the Knicks, contributing 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists. It is the best season in the past three years. He also became an All-Star starter for the first time, which shows that his popularity has also soared. Entering the playoffs stage, Towns' performance is also good. So far, he can contribute 21.6 points, 9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1 steal and 1.6 blocks, and his shooting and three-point shooting percentage have reached 50%, and his overall efficiency is very considerable. Although his performance has fluctuated a bit, so far, as long as Towns scored more than 20 points in a single game, the Knicks have won the showdown with the Pistons. Therefore, it can be seen that the importance of Towns to the Knicks now is. Whether the Knicks can make a breakthrough this season will largely be determined by Towns' performance.