While New York will be title contenders with the versatile Towns, the Timberwolves will continue to contend in the Western Conference with their additions.

The deal brought Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota along with a protected first-round pick, improving the team's depth in the short term and its flexibility for the foreseeable future. The depth was appealing in part because the Wolves had let veterans Kyle Anderson and Monte Morris go in free agency.

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters pregame that the Wolves won't play Edwards or Randle in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night at Acrisur