"Such a weird move" - NBA Reddit agrees with former champ's take on Karl-Anthony Towns getting traded over Rudy Gobert 

Amid the Minnesota Timberwolves' struggles since trading star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA legend Kevin Garnett questioned the franchise's direction. Garnett noted that the Wolves should have shipped away star center Rudy Gobert instead, garnering NBA Reddit's agreement.

Spearheaded by rising superstar wing Anthony Edwards, Minnesota finished third in the Western Conference last season (56-26). Afterward, the team made its first conference finals appearance since 2004, falling 4-1 to the Dallas Mavericks.

Many assumed the Wolves would build off their success over the offseason by making minor roster moves. Instead, the franchise made a drastic change. It sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks in a three-team deal that netted star forward Julius Randle and shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo.

Some were skeptical of the trade, pointing to Randle's seemingly questionable fit with Gobert due to his subpar 3-point shooting ability. However, others felt it could be a win-win scenario, as Minnesota added depth, while New York landed a high-level center.

The Wolves have since gotten off to a rough 8-10 start, dropping four straight games and seven of nine. Meanwhile, despite retaining Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, their defensive rating has slipped from first last season (108.4) to 12th (112.1).

On Thursday's episode of the "Ticket & The Truth" podcast, Garnett reflected on the Towns trade's early returns. The 2008 NBA champion underscored how fans and pundits were too quick to accept Minnesota trading its secondary scoring option.

"Man, we just swept that whole Minnesota thing under the rug, and we're supposed to just go with this?" Garnett said (Timestamp: 8:14).

Garnett added that Gobert should have been the odd man out, but the Wolves wanted to make a cost-cutting move.

"You're supposed to trade Rudy Gobert, keep KAT, and go on," Garnett said. "You took a step back, bro. You didn't wanna pay the man? What are we doing?"

Fans on NBA Reddit concurred, with many scrutinizing the logic behind keeping Gobert over Towns, given Towns' more unique skill set as a floor-spacing center.

"Not trading Rudy was honestly such a weird move. You could get back (Mitchell) Robinson or Time Lord (Robert Williams), who (provide) 70% of the defense for 20% of the salary," Pablo_Undercover said.

"Dude is gonna receive hate, but it's true. Trade Rudy, re-sign KAT, and rebuild around KAT, Ant and Jaden (McDaniels)," @MissionImagination98 wrote.

"The idea of adding a defensive-minded center next to KAT is good, but I don't know why they went for the most expensive option," @IsThisMe8 said.

"He's right, but the Gobert gobblers are gonna hate," @Kodak333 wrote.

"Rudy is great and all, but y'all f**ked up by essentially dumping KAT's salary and sending him to New York. He is absolutely feasting," @solo118 said.

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Kevin Garnett on Karl-Anthony Towns' strong start with Knicks

Later in Thursday's podcast, Kevin Garnett was asked his thoughts on Karl-Anthony Towns' play with New York. He didn't hesitate to laud the four-time All-Star for his strong start.

"Killer! Killer! Killer!" Garnett said.

Through 17 outings, Towns is averaging a team-best 26.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, 0.7 blocks and 2.5 3-pointers per game, shooting 54.2% and 47.2% from downtown.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have fared better than the Wolves, starting 10-8, with a No. 2-ranked offensive rating (122.1). Nevertheless, Garnett was reluctant to proclaim New York a legitimate threat to the reigning champion Boston Celtics (15-3).

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