The Knicks may be sitting on a Karl-Anthony Towns problem, and that ought to make the 76ers pay attention.
According to Shams Charania, contract talks between Towns and New York have stalled. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post added that the Knicks want Towns to take a discount, a setup that could push the situation toward a breaking point. If that happens, the Sixers should at least find out whether there’s a path to another swing at a major trade.
That kind of move would not be without precedent. Before Towns arrived in New York, the Knicks were linked to Joel Embiid.
Leon Rose had ties to Embiid, but when it became clear Philadelphia was not moving him, New York pivoted to Towns. The gamble worked, and Towns helped the Knicks win a championship in 2026.
Now the money side is getting in the way. The Knicks are already paying out significant deals to multiple players, and they also know Jalen Brunson will need an extension soon. That makes Towns’ future more complicated than it looked when he first landed in New York.
Philadelphia fans can keep bracing for their own endless Embiid speculation, including chatter about Anthony Davis, but the more realistic name to watch may be Towns. That does not mean the Knicks are suddenly eager to move Embiid now, especially with his ongoing health issues, but if that door is even cracked open, the Sixers should check the handle.
Towns has been productive in New York. He has played at least 72 games in each of his last two seasons with the Knicks and averaged 22.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He also shot 39.5% from three on 4.4 attempts a night.
The Knicks probably are not ready to take calls on him yet, and they likely do not want to think about adding a 32-year-old Embiid on a three-year, $187 million contract. But the NBA has a way of turning “unlikely” into “available” fast. Until Towns signs a new deal, a trade scenario is not something to dismiss.
And if a Towns-Embiid swap sounds outrageous, remember this much: a Jaylen Brown deal with a division rival would have sounded outrageous before it actually happened.
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