The New York Knicks are hitting a rough patch, and Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t exactly been lighting it up under new head coach Mike Brown. But despite the recent struggles-both for the team and their newly acquired big man-there’s no indication that the Knicks are ready to hit the eject button on the Towns experiment.
According to multiple league and team sources, New York hasn't entered any serious conversations about moving Towns this season. Internally, the message has been clear: this group still believes it can contend. That sentiment was echoed by team owner James Dolan, who recently reaffirmed his confidence in the current roster, saying, “This group can win a championship; I believe that.”
SNY’s Ian Begley backed up that notion, reinforcing that the Knicks are staying the course with Towns-at least for now. But around the league, not everyone’s buying that the door is completely shut.
Behind the scenes, there’s been some smoke. According to Marc Stein, while Knicks officials have tried to downplay any suggestion that Towns could be on the move, rival teams aren’t convinced. Some believe New York has at least tested the waters to gauge what kind of return Towns might command.
And based on reporting from The Athletic’s James Edwards, that return might not be as hefty as you’d expect for a player of Towns’ caliber. Fred Katz even floated the idea that a potential deal could resemble the kind of package Atlanta received for Trae Young-an indication that the Knicks may not be looking for a massive haul, but rather the right pieces to complement their core.
So, if the Knicks were to explore a Towns trade, who might be on the other end of that phone call? Let’s take a look at some of the teams that have been linked to the All-Star big man.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
If the Knicks are thinking big-and we mean really big-there’s one name that towers above the rest: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yes, he’s currently dealing with an injury, but that hasn’t cooled New York’s interest.
If the Knicks are going all-in, Giannis would be the ultimate prize. Acquiring him would mean pushing all their chips to the center of the table, and Towns could be part of that equation.
2. Portland Trail Blazers
New York’s interest in Giannis reportedly extends beyond just the Greek Freak. According to Stein, the Knicks are also eyeing Jrue Holiday, now with the Trail Blazers, as a way to sweeten the pitch for Antetokounmpo.
The idea? Reunite Giannis with a trusted former teammate and make the Knicks an even more appealing destination.
It’s unclear what a package involving both Holiday and Giannis would look like-or if it’s even remotely feasible-but Portland’s name keeps surfacing in these conversations. And for what it’s worth, their front office has long admired Mikal Bridges, which could factor into broader trade mechanics.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is another team to watch. The Grizzlies have been active in trade chatter, with names like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. popping up in rumors.
A straight-up swap for Towns doesn’t make much sense on paper, but Memphis could play a key role in facilitating a larger, multi-team deal. If a blockbuster is brewing, don’t be surprised if the Grizzlies are involved somehow.
4. Orlando Magic
Orlando has also been linked to Towns, and the fit makes some basketball sense. The Magic have one of the league’s weakest three-point shooting units, and Towns-who can stretch the floor from the five spot-could help open things up offensively. Whether Orlando has the assets New York wants is another question, but the interest is reportedly there.
5. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are another team that’s been mentioned in connection to Towns, though the path to a deal is murkier here. Charlotte doesn’t have an obvious piece that would immediately elevate the Knicks’ title hopes. Still, they could be a team to monitor, especially if New York is willing to get creative.
Bottom line: While the Knicks aren’t actively shopping Karl-Anthony Towns, the league isn’t convinced he’s untouchable. New York is navigating a tricky stretch, and if the right opportunity presents itself-especially one that moves them closer to serious title contention-they may be more open to a shakeup than they’re letting on.
For now, though, the message from inside Madison Square Garden is clear: they believe in this roster, and they’re not ready to pull the plug just yet.