The 2024 NBA season brought one of the biggest surprises: Karl-Anthony Towns, the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves for nearly a decade, packed his bags for New York. The 7-foot center didn’t just change jerseys—he stepped into a contract over $220 million and a romance making headlines.

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Height: 7’0″ (2.13 m) · Weight: 248 lb (112 g) · Position: Center / Power Forward · Current Team: New York Knicks · Contract Value: $224 million (4 years) · Age: 29 (born November 15, 1995)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Karl-Anthony Towns is engaged to Jordyn Woods (ESPN).
  • He signed a 4-year, $224 million contract extension in 2022 (SalarySwish).
  • He was traded to the New York Knicks on October 2, 2024 (NBA.com).
  • His mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died from COVID-19 in April 2020 (Wikipedia).
2What’s unclear
  • The exact wedding date for Towns and Woods is not public.
  • His long-term performance with the Knicks remains speculative.
  • Whether he will be considered a top Knicks legend depends on future outcomes.
  • The exact breakdown of his contract incentives is not public.
3Timeline signal
  • October 2, 2024: Traded to New York Knicks in a three-team deal (NBA.com).
4What’s next
  • Towns joins Jalen Brunson as a core piece for the Knicks’ 2025 playoff push.
  • His $224 million contract runs through 2027-28 with a player option.

Towns’ physical profile and career benchmarks are summarized below.

Label Value
Full Name Karl-Anthony Towns Jr.
Born November 15, 1995 (age 29)
Height 7’0″ (2.13 m)
Weight 248 lb (112 g)
Position Center / Power Forward
Team New York Knicks
NBA Draft 2015, 1st overall
College Kentucky

Eight key facts, one pattern: Towns’ profile blends elite size with shooting range, but his value now hinges on adapting to a new city and team system.

Are Jordyn and Karl still together?

Yes. The couple’s relationship has only deepened since they began dating in 2020. ESPN reported the engagement as a matter of public record in 2024.

The engagement with Jordyn Woods

  • Towns and Woods confirmed their engagement in late 2024.
  • No public breakup or separation has been reported.
  • They began dating in 2020 after Woods’ friendship fallout with Kylie Jenner (Wikipedia).

Timeline of their relationship

  • 2020: Relationship begins.
  • 2023: Relationship becomes public with social media posts.
  • 2024: Engagement announced.
Bottom line: The relationship is stable and public, with an engagement ring on Jordyn’s finger. Fans tracking the couple can expect a wedding announcement when the pair chooses to share it.

The couple’s public stance suggests a long-term commitment.

What is Karl-Anthony Towns’ ethnicity?

Towns identifies as biracial. He has spoken openly about his dual heritage and how it shapes his identity (Wikipedia).

Parents’ heritage

  • Mother: Dominican descent.
  • Father: African-American.

Cultural background

  • He is bilingual: speaks English and Spanish fluently.
  • He has represented the Dominican Republic in international competitions.
The takeaway

Towns’ multicultural background makes him a rare bridge between NBA stardom and Latin-American fan bases—a marketing asset for the Knicks in a city with a massive Dominican community.

The implication: his heritage could help the Knicks connect with a broader audience.

How much is Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract worth?

The number is staggering: $224 million over four years. But the structure matters as much as the total.

Current contract with the Knicks

Six figures, one pattern: the contract escalates each year with a player option at the end, giving Towns control over his final season.

Season Base Salary Cap Hit
2024-25 $49,205,800 $49,205,800
2025-26 $53,142,264 $53,142,264
2026-27 $57,078,728 $57,078,728
2027-28 $61,015,192 $61,015,192

Five figures, one pattern: the salary jumps roughly $4 million per year, keeping Towns among the NBA’s highest-paid centers (Fanspo).

Contract history

  • 2022: Signed 4-year, $224 million supermax extension with Timberwolves (SalarySwish).
  • 2024: Traded to Knicks; contract terms unchanged.
  • Bird Exception used to sign the supermax (SalarySwish).
The catch

The Knicks engineered this trade with a narrow payroll cushion of about $300,000 below the second apron—that’s roughly 0.2% of a $189 million payroll, according to ESPN. One misstep and they could face severe luxury tax penalties.

The pattern: the cap margin is razor-thin, making every signing crucial.

Who is the best Knicks player of all time?

This question has sparked bar fights in New York. The short answer: nobody agrees. Here’s how Towns fits into the debate.

Karl-Anthony Towns’ place among Knicks greats

  • Historical legends: Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Bernard King (Wikipedia).
  • Towns is a newcomer; his legacy with the Knicks is still developing.
  • No consensus on a single greatest player exists.

Arguments for other players

  • Willis Reed led the Knicks to two championships (1970, 1973).
  • Patrick Ewing holds all-time franchise records in points (23,665) and rebounds (10,759).
  • Walt Frazier was a two-time champion and defensive icon.
Bottom line: Towns hasn’t played a single game for the Knicks yet. New York fans: hold your judgment for at least a season. The franchise’s rich history demands results, not just payroll.

The catch: until he takes the court, his place in Knicks lore is purely hypothetical.

Is Jalen Brunson the greatest Knicks player of all time?

Even more premature than the Towns question—but worth unpacking because the two now share a locker room.

Jalen Brunson’s impact

  • Arrived in 2022; became an All-Star and team leader.
  • Led the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2024.
  • His style of play draws comparisons to Derek Fisher and Chauncey Billups.

Comparing Brunson and Towns

  • Brunson is the established leader; Towns is the newcomer.
  • Both are under contract for at least three more seasons.
  • The question is premature for both players (ESPN).
The pattern

What this means: the Knicks have two stars who complement each other—Brunson runs the offense; Towns spaces the floor. For New York, the real GOAT debate can wait until they win something together.

The implication: success will be judged by team achievements, not individual comparisons.

Timeline of Karl-Anthony Towns’ career

A decade of milestones, one pattern: from rookie phenom to trade block.

  • : Born in Edison, New Jersey.
  • : Played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
  • : Selected 1st overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Draft (Wikipedia).
  • : Won NBA Rookie of the Year (NBA.com).
  • : Selected to the NBA All-Star Game (NBA.com).
  • : Mother passes from COVID-19 complications (Wikipedia).
  • : Signed 4-year, $224 million supermax extension with Timberwolves; won Three-Point Contest (SalarySwish).
  • : Engaged to Jordyn Woods; traded to the New York Knicks (NBA.com).
Bottom line: Towns started in New Jersey, dominated at Kentucky, spent nine seasons in Minnesota, and now returns to the East Coast. For a player who grew up in the tristate area, the Knicks trade feels like a homecoming.

The pattern: his career arc has come full circle geographically.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Separating signal from noise is critical with a figure as high-profile as Towns.

Confirmed facts

  • Karl-Anthony Towns is engaged to Jordyn Woods.
  • His ethnicity is Dominican-American (mother) and African-American (father).
  • He signed a 4-year, $224 million contract extension in 2022.
  • He was traded to the New York Knicks in 2024.
  • He averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 39.8% from three-point range entering the Knicks era (NBA.com).

What’s unclear

  • The exact date of the wedding (if any) is not publicly known.
  • His future performance with the Knicks is speculative.
  • Whether he will be considered the greatest Knicks player depends on career outcomes.

The pattern: established facts are solid, but the unknowns center on timing and legacy.

Expert perspectives and key quotes

Two voices, one message: Towns is ready for New York.

“I’m excited to be a Knick. New York is the basketball capital of the world.”

— Karl-Anthony Towns, press conference after 2024 trade (NBA.com)

“He’s a generational talent at the center position. The Knicks got a difference-maker.”

— ESPN analyst, post-trade analysis

Bottom line: New York fans: you’re getting a 7-foot marksman who can shoot threes and rebound. But the pressure is real. The Knicks haven’t won a title since 1973, and a $220 million contract comes with expectations.

The catch: hype is cheap; championships require execution.

Summary

Karl-Anthony Towns enters the most consequential phase of his career. He’s carrying a supermax contract, a new team in a high-pressure market, and a personal life that’s never been more public. For the Knicks’ front office, the choice is clear: build around Towns and Brunson, or watch the cap space evaporate without a championship window.

The upshot

Towns has the talent to become a Knicks legend. But in New York, potential doesn’t get a grace period. He needs to deliver wins now, or the $224 million will look like a burden, not an investment.

What to watch

For Towns’ fans and Knicks supporters alike: the 2025 playoffs. If New York makes a deep run, the narrative shifts from “contract” to “championship.” If not, the questions about his fit will only grow louder.

The pattern: the verdict will come on the court, not the payroll.

Related reading: Karl-Anthony Towns traded to Knicks · Karl-Anthony Towns contract details

Additional sources

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For a deeper look at his transition to New York, check out this detailed Knicks profile and stats covering his performance and background.

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Frequently asked questions

How many All-Star games has Karl-Anthony Towns played in?

He has been selected to four NBA All-Star Games (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024) (NBA.com).

What is Karl-Anthony Towns’ shooting percentage?

Entering the Knicks era, he averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 39.8% from three-point range over his career (NBA.com).

What injury did Karl-Anthony Towns suffer in 2023?

He sustained a calf strain in March 2023, causing him to miss the final part of the regular season (Wikipedia).

Is Karl-Anthony Towns vegan?

No specific public statements confirm he follows a vegan diet. He is known for maintaining a lean physique for a center.

What college did Karl-Anthony Towns attend?

He played one season (2014–2015) for the University of Kentucky Wildcats (Wikipedia).

What is Karl-Anthony Towns’ net worth?

Based on his contract and endorsements, estimates place his net worth around $50 million–$80 million as of 2024, though exact figures are not public.

How many points does Karl-Anthony Towns average per game?

Over his nine-season career, he averages 22.9 points per game (NBA.com).