The New York Knicks have had a productive offseason, highlighted by acquiring Mikal Bridges, re-signing OG Anunoby, and extending Jalen Brunson.
Despite these moves, the team is still exploring options to further strengthen their roster, with ongoing rumors linking them to Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar center, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Karl-Anthony Towns, playing on a lucrative contract that will see him earning $49.2 million next season and escalating to $61 million by the 2027-28 season, has been the subject of trade discussions. Although Minnesota had their best season in two decades, reaching the Western Conference Finals, they might need to consider trading key players like Towns due to financial constraints.
A mock trade proposed by Rohan Raman from Sports Illustrated suggests a three-team deal involving the Atlanta Hawks to facilitate Towns’ move to New York. In this scenario, the Hawks would receive Miles McBride, Jericho Sims, and draft picks, while the Knicks would get Kobe Bufkin, Karl-Anthony Towns, and additional picks. The Timberwolves would acquire Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Bruno Fernando, Garrison Mathews, and draft picks.
While Towns’ addition would bring a unique talent, the Knicks would sacrifice depth and size, particularly losing Robinson’s defensive presence. Towns is renowned for his shooting ability, boasting a career three-point percentage of 39.8%, and pairing him with Brunson could be formidable offensively. However, the Knicks already have a well-rounded starting lineup, with Brunson and Randle leading the team, and Bridges and Anunoby providing versatility on both ends of the court.
The Knicks’ current roster shows promise, and the recent extensions of Brunson and potentially Bridges indicate confidence in their existing core. Trading for Towns might only make sense if the Knicks aim to shed salary while staying competitive. However, disrupting their core without seeing its full potential could be premature and risky.
As the offseason progresses, speculation about Towns will persist, but it remains uncertain if the Knicks will make a move this summer or wait until next year.
