Title odds improve for both Knicks, Wolves following blockbuster trade

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The blockbuster trade between the Knicks and Timberwolves that shipped Karl-Anthony Towns to New York and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota sent shockwaves around the league days before training camp. Oddsmakers are aligned: both teams enhanced their championship odds.

The Knicks jumped from +800 to +750 to win the NBA Finals, behind the Celtics (+340) and Thunder (+700). New York also went from +450 to +295 to win the East, passing the Sixers for the conference's second-best odds. New York's win total improved from 53.5 to 54.5, with the Knicks projected to win the NBA's third-most games after winning 50 last year.

New York added one of the NBA's most premier and unique talents in Towns, a 7-foot forward who averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game on 41% 3-point shooting last season. His pick-and-pop ability and value as a floor-spacer make him a natural fit alongside Jalen Brunson, who has the sixth-best MVP odds (+1000).

Randle was playing at an All-Star level before a shoulder injury ended his season in January. The Knicks' offense reinvented itself around Brunson's heliocentric approach. Brunson, who had the league's third-highest usage rate after the All-Star break, led the Knicks to the East's 2-seed.

The Knicks had obvious and understandable concerns about Randle's fit and reintegration into the lineup, especially after acquiring Mikal Bridges, a playmaking forward who's a better spot-up threat than Randle. Instead of testing it and making a midseason move - which seldom results in a championship - the Knicks solidified a lineup they're confident in.

Plus, Randle is set to become a free agent following the season and New York's unwillingness to extend him signaled his days in the Big Apple were numbered.

Like every move, there's risk associated. A closing five of Brunson, Bridges, Towns, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby is exceptionally talented but undersized. Towns' arrival suggests the Knicks are willing to sacrifice defensively to build an offensive juggernaut, a common trend throughout the NBA but a departure from typical Tom Thibodeau-coached teams. Thibodeau coached Towns in Minnesota from 2016 to 2019.

The Timberwolves acquired Rudy Gobert because of Towns' inability to play center. Gobert often erased Towns' defensive mishaps as a towering rim-protector. That safeguard for Towns won't exist in New York.

The Knicks may be better off with lineups that include Towns and Mitchell Robinson, an excellent offensive rebounder and rim-protector. Offensively, Brunson and Robinson can run pick-and-roll with Towns lifting from the corner as a spot-up threat. Towns thrived in that role as Anthony Edwards and Gobert operated the pick-and-roll.

However, Robinson has to make strides as a short-roll playmaker. That puts a lot of pressure on the oft-injured forward, who's expected to miss the first few months of the season after ankle surgery.

The Knicks' depth takes a hit without DiVincenzo, one of the league's best 3-point shooters. Miles McBride and Robinson are the Knicks' only reliable bench pieces and they have few remaining assets to improve the roster. Thibodeau plays a short rotation and gives his starters huge workloads, which could present a problem for Towns and Anunoby, who've dealt with leg injuries and rarely play full seasons.

Towns' playoff shortcomings and habitual fouling are also a stain on his nine-year career. Although he made some strides last spring, his disastrous West finals showing led to Minnesota's playoff exit.

Leon Rose, the Knicks's president of basketball operations, who previously represented Towns as his agent, has earned the benefit of the doubt - he's masterfully turned the Knicks from a laughing stock into a contender.

Meanwhile, Minnesota's championship odds moved from +1200 to +1000, trailing the Thunder, Nuggets, and Mavs in the West. Their win total didn't move, indicating the deal could alter the Timberwolves' identity but won't hurt their chances to compete in an increasingly competitive Western Conference.

While future financial flexibility played a role - Randle's on an expiring contract - Minnesota figured its playoff run to the West finals was likely its ceiling with Towns. Randle isn't the shooter Towns is, but he's a better playmaker and two-time All-NBAer. However, Randle's style could create funky spacing alongside Gobert.

The Timberwolves had a below-average offense last year. While they had the third-best 3-point percentage, they ranked toward the bottom in attempts.

One of Minnesota's biggest weaknesses was guard depth behind budding superstar Edwards and aging veteran Mike Conley. DiVincenzo answers that calling while providing a shooting boost after breaking the Knicks' franchise record for 3-point makes in a season.

The Wolves had a test run at life without Towns when he missed 20 games last season. They went 14-6 as Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid averaged 17.3 points and 6.5 boards in Towns' absence, shooting 41% from three on five attempts per game.

Randle is a willing 3-point shooter, but not the most consistent. He's only connected on 40% of his threes in one of his 10 seasons. He must return to that mark for the Timberwolves' offense to reach its potential, which is a tall ask.

Championship contenders rarely swap All-NBA caliber players, but both teams felt they needed an upgrade in certain areas to increase their title odds.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.