Even though the blockbuster trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks seemed to come out of nowhere, it was actually in the works for quite some time.

Per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks, the T-Wolves and Knicks had talks “all summer” before really picking up steam in the past few days when they got the Charlotte Hornets involved as a third team.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski reported on Friday the Knicks were acquiring Towns to Minnesota for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round draft pick via the Detroit Pistons.

Charlotte will receive DaQuan Jeffries and future draft compensation from the Knicks.

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article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.