The New York Knicks are facing a hard truth about Karl-Anthony Towns - one that the Atlanta Hawks already came to grips with when they moved on from Trae Young. Around the league, executives and insiders are starting to view Towns’ trade value through a similar lens: a talented player with a big name and an even bigger contract, but one who may not bring back the kind of haul fans might expect.
According to Fred Katz, who discussed the topic on his Katz and Shoot podcast, league conversations around Towns’ value have consistently circled back to the Trae Young trade as a benchmark. That deal, which didn’t exactly blow the doors off in terms of return, is now serving as a reality check for teams - and for fans in New York hoping for a blockbuster package in return for KAT.
Right now, Knicks fans are wondering whether the team could land a package resembling something like CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. That’s not exactly the kind of star-powered return that gets the Garden buzzing, but it might be closer to the market rate. Steve Popper has reported that New York is actively gauging interest in Towns, talking with a handful of teams as the trade deadline looms.
But here’s the thing: the Knicks aren’t in a position where they have to move Towns. Not yet, anyway.
Despite a rough 2-9 skid in their last 11 games, they’re still holding out hope that this roster can find some rhythm. That said, the clock is ticking, and the Feb. 5 deadline is creeping closer.
Whether Towns stays or goes, this is a storyline that fans - even those in Atlanta - should keep an eye on.
Now, let’s talk contract - because it matters. Towns’ deal is massive.
He’s making $53.1 million this season, with that number jumping to $57 million next year. He’s locked in through the 2027-28 season, with a $61 million player option after that.
That’s a lot of money tied up in a player who, while supremely talented on the offensive end, hasn’t exactly been a game-changer on defense.
That’s where the comparison to Trae Young comes in. Atlanta moved Young despite his offensive firepower because the market for high-usage, defensively limited players - especially ones on max deals - has cooled significantly. The Hawks learned that lesson the hard way, and now it’s the Knicks’ turn to face that same market reality.
We’re seeing a similar trend with Ja Morant. Despite his explosive talent, Memphis reportedly tested the waters after Atlanta moved Young, and the response was lukewarm at best. Teams just aren’t lining up to give away the farm for players who don’t bring it on both ends of the floor - especially when those players are eating up a huge chunk of the salary cap.
That brings us back to Towns. He’s still one of the best shooting big men the league has ever seen, but this season he’s hitting a career-low 46.7% from the field and just 35.8% from three - numbers that, while not disastrous, are well below his usual standards. For a player who’s supposed to be a floor-spacing, offensive engine, that dip in efficiency is a concern.
And then there’s the defense. Like Young and Morant, Towns has never been known for his work on that end of the floor. In today’s NBA, where versatility and two-way impact are at a premium, that’s a tough sell - especially when the price tag is north of $50 million a year.
Internally, the Knicks might be questioning the cost of their all-in move. They gave up Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick to get Towns, hoping he’d be the final piece to push them from playoff hopefuls to championship contenders.
But this month, they haven’t looked like either. The offense has stalled, the defense has regressed, and the vibes - well, they’re not great.
There’s still time to turn things around, but the next two weeks are going to be crucial. If the Knicks decide to pull the plug and move Towns, the return package could say a lot about where the league stands on players like him - supremely skilled, offensively gifted, but flawed in ways that matter when it comes to winning in June.
Whether Towns stays in New York or becomes the next big name on the move, one thing is clear: the Knicks’ front office is now navigating the same tricky waters that Atlanta did with Trae Young. And just like the Hawks, they might find that name recognition and past production don’t always translate into big-time offers.