The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until the trade is official. The Knicks plan to send Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick to the Timberwolves as part of the blockbuster trade just as training camps are getting ready to open for most teams.

Towns is a proven superstar on the offensive end. But his shortcomings will also be scrutinized in the pressure cooker of NYC.

Julius Randle said goodbye to New York with a simple message Sunday night. “NEW YORK! THANK YOU,” Randle wrote in a post on Instagram, along with a photo of him playing at the Garden, just days after news broke of the blockbuster deal that is sending the forward out of town for star Karl-Anthony Towns.