When Karl-Anthony Towns was shipped to the New York Knicks late Friday in exchange for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a future first-round pick, Anthony Edwards was on a plane. When he landed, a surprised Edwards traded text messages with his former teammate,

If this transfer is successful, Ant will be surrounded by more offensive power with new arrivals Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

Josh Hart is rarely at a loss for words. But for a second on Monday morning … well, he needed a second. With the reported blockbuster trade sending All-Star forward Julius Randle and sharpshooting guard Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in exchange for All-Star sharpshooting big man Karl-Anthony Towns evidently not yet consummated,

Karl-Anthony Towns is headed to New York, and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo now must fit into the team’s rotation. Something had to give. That was the thinking around the NBA when it came to the Timberwolves ’ long-term roster construction.