Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks, and a Growing Dilemma That’s Getting Harder to Ignore
The New York Knicks didn’t bring Karl-Anthony Towns to Madison Square Garden to be just another piece. They brought him in to be the piece next to Jalen Brunson-a second star who could elevate this team from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender. But as the season grinds on, the Knicks are starting to face a harsh truth: Towns hasn’t lived up to the billing, and the clock is ticking on how long they can afford to wait.
Let’s be clear-this isn’t about one bad night. Towns’ 5-of-14 showing in a loss to the Sacramento Kings wasn’t some isolated misstep.
Brunson left that game early with an ankle injury, leaving the door wide open for Towns to take the reins. Instead, he faded into the background.
And that’s becoming a pattern.
In fact, it followed a stretch where Towns was benched in crunch time against Portland. That’s not the kind of decision you expect to see made about a three-time All-NBA player.
It’s the kind of decision that speaks volumes. And the message?
Right now, the Knicks can’t trust Towns to be the guy when it matters.
A Max Contract, Minimal Impact
Towns is under contract for some serious money-$57.1 million in 2026-27 and a $61 million player option the year after. That’s superstar money.
That’s “clear-the-deck, build-around-him” money. And yet, the Knicks are asking him to be a No. 2 to Brunson’s No.
- Thanks to Brunson’s bargain of a deal, that’s a luxury New York can afford.
But when your second option is eating up over a third of your salary cap, you need more than flashes. You need consistency.
You need impact.
Right now, the Knicks are getting neither.
Towns’ shot volume has dipped significantly. He’s attempted fewer than 15 shots in 12 of his last 16 games.
That’s not just a stat-it’s a symptom. Whether it’s a lack of chemistry with Brunson, a struggle to find rhythm in the offense, or simply a confidence issue, the result is the same: Towns isn’t asserting himself.
He’s said he’s still adjusting. That he’s sacrificing.
That he needs to be kept involved. All fair points.
But at some point, the excuses start to wear thin. Great players find ways to impact the game, even when the system isn’t built around them.
And right now, Towns isn’t doing that.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t to say Towns is the Knicks’ only issue. The team as a whole has hit a post-NBA Cup slump, and that’s not on one player. But when your highest-paid player is struggling to make a positive impact on either end of the floor, it becomes impossible to ignore.
Towns has always been more of an offensive weapon than a defensive anchor. That’s fine-plenty of stars are.
But when the offense isn’t clicking and the defense is still suspect, the margin for error disappears. And that’s where the Knicks are right now: stuck in a gray area between good and great, with no clear path forward.
Trade Value Trouble
Here’s where things get even more complicated. Let’s say the Knicks decide to pivot. What’s the market for Towns?
The honest answer? It’s murky.
Teams aren’t lining up to trade for a 30-something big man on a max contract who hasn’t consistently delivered in high-leverage moments. He’s still a unique talent-seven feet tall, capable of stretching the floor, putting the ball on the deck, and scoring in bunches. But that uniqueness doesn’t automatically translate to trade value, especially when the production doesn’t match the paycheck.
Could the Knicks use him as matching salary in a blockbuster deal? Maybe.
But it’s hard to imagine a team like Milwaukee or Memphis prioritizing Towns in a deal involving Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaren Jackson Jr. And if you’re not getting a star back, what’s the return?
A late first-round pick? A young prospect and a bad contract?
That’s not the kind of value you want for a player you once considered a cornerstone.
What Comes Next?
There’s still plenty of basketball left this season. Towns could turn it around.
He’s had stretches in his career where he’s looked like one of the most skilled bigs in the league. But the Knicks aren’t in a position to wait forever.
They’re in the middle of a competitive Eastern Conference, and the margin between a second-round exit and a Finals run is razor thin.
If Towns doesn’t find his footing-and fast-the Knicks may be forced into a tough summer. And here’s the kicker: they might not be able to move him even if they want to. Not because they’re unwilling, but because the market just isn’t there.
So for now, the Knicks are in limbo. Good, but not great.
Talented, but flawed. And Karl-Anthony Towns, once seen as the missing piece, is starting to look more like the biggest question mark.