The Celtics may be happy with the group they’ve built, but the league keeps throwing out new names that could change everything. And now Karl-Anthony Towns has entered the conversation.
For Boston, the appeal is obvious. If the Celtics decide their current ceiling isn’t high enough, Brad Stevens could eventually be pushed toward another major move, whether that means moving Paul George’s massive contract or packaging Derrick White’s deal to bring in a different star. Stevens has never been shy about making bold, messy decisions if he thinks they help the organization, and the idea of finding Jayson Tatum a new sidekick would fit that pattern.
Towns has suddenly become one of the more interesting possibilities because his situation with the Knicks looks unsettled. New York is only months away from what it hopes will be its first championship in ages, and the mood there has been strong, but the second apron is already looming over the roster. Before the season has even begun, the Knicks are said to be far apart on a new extension for Towns, and that has opened the door to real trade chatter.
If he somehow reaches the market, Boston would make a lot of sense. Towns would bring post defense, rebounding, and enough switchability to matter in Joe Mazzulla’s system.
The biggest draw, though, is the shooting. He owns one of the best three-point strokes ever for a big man, and that kind of skill set would slide into the Celtics’ offense cleanly.
The idea gets even spicier because of the opponent on the other side. Boston has already poached one of the Knicks’ big men by signing Mitchell Robinson in free agency, and dealing Towns to the Celtics would sting New York in a way few trades could.
There’s still a huge hurdle here. New York would have to be willing to send its All-NBA center to Boston, and that’s never simple. But James Dolan has made it clear he’s not going into the second apron, and if the Knicks feel pressure to move Towns, they may end up taking the best offer available rather than worrying about where he lands.
That kind of quick, surprising shift has already played out elsewhere in the NBA. The Celtics and Jaylen Brown were part of a stunning deal with the rival 76ers, and that’s a reminder that nothing stays settled for long once the league starts moving.
For now, the odds still favor Towns and the Knicks finding a deal. But if he’s not willing to take a major hometown discount - and it doesn’t appear that he is - New York could be forced into some hard choices. In that scenario, Towns could become the next big name swept up by the second apron.
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