‘It Would Not Stun Me’: New York Knicks Insider Wouldn’t Be Stunned If Karl-Anthony Towns Gets Traded
New York Knicks insider James L. Edwards III of The Athletic would not be stunned if the Knicks trade NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Knicks have discussed a trade for Towns with three teams, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. The three teams are the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets.
“As for the Knicks … listen. I know James Dolan came out and publicly said that this is the roster and he doesn’t expect any big moves,” Edwards III said. “But as New York continues to free-fall, and I keep talking to people around the league, it would not stun me if Karl-Anthony Towns got traded. I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s something I’m monitoring. The return wouldn’t be grand. But it would be considered a ‘big’ move given all that has taken place in New York over the last 1.5 years.”
The Knicks acquired Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves before the start of last season. KAT helped New York make the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, a series the Indiana Pacers won in six games.
Tom Thibodeau was fired as head coach of the Knicks after the conference finals and Towns played a big role in the two-time Coach of the Year getting the boot, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Towns complained about Thibodeau during his exit meeting with owner James Dolan, who decided to fire Thibodeau after speaking with multiple key players, sources said.
Thibodeau coached Towns on the Timberwolves and the two didn’t see eye to eye there either, sources said.
The Knicks hired former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown after firing Thibodeau. Brown and Towns don’t have the best relationship either, sources said.
New York is 25-18 on the season. The 2026 NBA trade deadline is February 5 at 3 p.m. ET. Towns doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, preventing him from controlling his future.
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