Leon Rose welcomes Karl-Anthony Cities to Knicks, expresses gratitude in direction of Julius Randle

The Knicksmade issues official on Wednesday afternoon, saying the acquisition of Karl-Anthony Cities in a three-team commerce involving the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Charlotte Hornets.

New York acquired Cities from Minnesota and the draft rights to James Nnajifrom the Hornets, whereas Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a future first-round choose went to the Timberwolves. Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr., and two future second-round picks had been despatched to the Hornets.

“We’re past excited to welcome Karl-Anthony Cities to the New York Knicks household,” stated crew president Leon Rose. “Karl-Anthony brings a skillset that’s distinctive to the sport of basketball. He possesses a mix of playmaking, taking pictures, rebounding and defending that together along with his measurement permits him to compete at a degree that’s uncommon on this league. Karl-Anthony has demonstrated all through his profession to be a excessive caliber participant and particular person on and off the courtroom who will complement the kind of crew and tradition we proceed to construct in New York.”

Cities, who grew up in Piscataway, NJ, was chosen by Minnesota with the  first general choose within the 2015 NBA Draft. Over his 9 professional seasons, Cities has averaged 22.9 factors, 10.8 rebounds, and three.2 assists whereas taking pictures 39.8 p.c from three-point vary.

In bringing in Cities, the Knicks needed to half methods with Randle, who blossomed into an All-Star with the Knicks, successful Most Improved Participant in 2020-21. In 5 seasons with New York, Randle was an All-Star 3 times, averaging 22.6 factors, 9.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

“I need to sincerely thank Julius for his contributions to each the Knicks group and our neighborhood,” stated Rose. “An All-Star and All-NBA participant, Julius labored tirelessly day in and day trip to signify the Knicks group with grit, grace and large talent. Julius performed a serious position in establishing the inspiration and tradition of our crew and we can’t thank Julius sufficient for what he did for this metropolis and group each on and off the courtroom.”

Rose additionally thanked DiVincenzo and the opposite former Knicks concerned within the commerce for all the things that they dropped at the crew.

“Over the past 12 months, Donte not solely captivated the town with probably the most iconic photographs in Knicks historical past, but in addition instantly purchased into the tradition we had been constructing right here and was an instance on and off the courtroom from the second he arrived as a Knick. We want Julius, Donte, Charlie, DaQuan, Duane and Keita all the perfect shifting ahead and thank them for all their contributions to our crew.”