Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks Aren’t A Trade Match For This Reason
Since being drafted first overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns has been the face of their team. However in his eight seasons with Minnesota, the organization has reached the playoffs on three separate occasions, losing in the first round each time.
With Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert and a handful of key supporting pieces, the Timberwolves hope to be able to turn themselves into a real threat in the Western Conference. However, trade talks around town remain relevant and continue into the offseason.
The New York Knicks have been repeatedly mentioned as a possible trade destination for the three-time All-Star big man, as he is from New Jersey and was represented by current team president Leon Rose when he ran the basketball division of the CAA, the agency that still represents Towns. Through the years, the Knicks have signed and traded for a number of CAA clients ranging from Jalen Brunson to Josh Hart to All-Star forward Julius Randle.
It seems destined that Towns will join the Knicks at some point, but the Timberwolves haven’t been receptive to trade talks around their star and it looks like New York has its eyes set on the future. According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, Minnesota set a “sky-high price” on Towns in trade discussions, and the Knicks not even interested in getting her this summer.
Pairing him with Randle and Brunson would certainly make the Knicks a better team and a team that can compete with the best in the Eastern Conference, but New York is looking to the future. As Katz says, the Knicks are patiently waiting for the right opportunity to come their way, because all that matters is finding the right star and the right fit.
That’s why Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid’s name keeps popping up as a potential target for the Knicks, as last season’s MVP could be available in trade talks if things go bad in Philadelphia. Then again, the idea of playing for one team throughout his career is of little Embryd value, which is why the outlook for him being available in trade talks is bleak.
The Knicks are in good shape as a franchise right now and they don’t need to force any sort of trade this offseason. With ongoing contracts, young talent and a handful of future draft capital, it appears as though the franchise is looking to make some sort of big move over the course of the next year. On the rise in the Eastern Conference, New York is definitely a franchise to keep an eye on, even if they don’t want to trade for Karl-Anthony Towns.
