DHJ Quick Take
- Long-Term Commitment: Despite ongoing trade rumors, sources close to Karl-Anthony Towns state that he is deeply committed to the New York Knicks and has expressed a desire to remain with the team for the remainder of his career.
- Persistent Trade Speculation: Towns has been the subject of trade discussions since last summer, largely due to his massive contract ($224 million) and the Knicks’ rumored interest in other superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- High Stakes for “KAT”: While Towns “badly wants things to work” in New York, league executives believe he could be the primary trade piece or “scapegoat” if the team fails to reach the NBA Finals this season.
A source close to Karl-Anthony Towns told Vincent Goodwill of ESPN that the big man wants to spend the rest of his NBA career with the New York Knicks.
Towns has been the subject of trade rumors going back to last offseason.
“He so badly wants things to work here,” a source close to Towns told ESPN. “He wants to be a Knick for life.”
In January, Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Towns was upset the Knicks tried to trade him to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo last summer. Many people around the NBA believe New York and Towns could part ways this offseason if the team struggles in the 2026 playoffs since Towns’ offensive role with the Knicks has diminished under first-year head coach Mike Brown.
“If they come up short, if they don’t make the Finals — aside from Mikal Bridges, because he was traded for all the draft picks — Towns will take the most heat because of his résumé,” a high-ranking rival team executive told ESPN. “Because Jalen Brunson won’t take the heat and they’ll say Towns didn’t deliver. Especially with Giannis sitting out there.”
Towns will make $57.1 million next season. The Kentucky product, who is eligible to sign an extension this offseason, has a $61 million player option for the 2027-28 season. The six-time All-Star played in 75 games this season. He averaged 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists a night while shooting 50.1% from the field, 36.8% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line.
The Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals in six games. Towns and Co. are under major, major pressure to reach the NBA Finals this year due to how expensive New York’s roster is.
It will be fascinating to see how far the Knickerbockers go in the 2026 playoffs and if Towns is on the team next season. Towns, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, holds career averages of 22.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Knicks. He’s made three All-NBA teams.
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