Naz Reid had 25 points and nine rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Charlotte Hornets 114-93 on Monday night at Target Center. Anthony Edwards scored 21 points, while Donte

The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, middle, drives to the basket in the first quarter against the Hornets in Minnesota's 114-93 victory at Target Center on Monday. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ blockbuster trade sending Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks was about more than basketball. It was about long-term survival in a league dominated by the ominous second apron.