Karl-Anthony Towns, Mike Brown Knicks tension
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Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks speaks with head coach Mike Brown.
The New York Knicks have been widely linked to the veteran guard market as the NBA trade deadline approaches, but the latest reporting from New York suggests the franchise is also evaluating a different path: adding frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson.
While Guerschon Yabusele’s $5.5 million salary has been viewed as the Knicks’ most flexible trade asset, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Thursday that New York’s internal discussions extend beyond ball-handling help.
“Chatter about the Knicks’ interest in veteran guard help has been prevalent since the offseason,” Fischer wrote in The Stein Line, “but I also keep hearing that they have been exploring their options to bolster frontcourt depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson as well.”
The two-pronged approach reflects both the Knicks’ roster composition and the risks attached to their current center rotation.
Knicks’ Frontcourt Depth Under the Microscope
Robinson, the Knicks’ longest-tenured big man, has been relatively healthy this season, appearing in 28 games after playing only 17 last year. Still, durability remains a concern. The 7-footer has not appeared in more than 31 games in either of the past two seasons.
Towns, acquired to elevate the Knicks’ offense and spacing, has also been largely available. After playing 72 games last season, he has appeared in 37 of New York’s first 40 contests this year. Together, the two form a critical foundation for a Knicks team currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference and chasing its first championship since 1973.
The concern is less about present production and more about sustainability — especially with only two true centers on the roster and the postseason approaching.
Guerschon Yabusele Emerges as Knicks’ Key Trade Piece
Yabusele, signed using the taxpayer mid-level exception following his NBA resurgence in Philadelphia, has not carved out a consistent role in New York’s rotation.
ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks recently identified Yabusele as the Knicks’ most logical trade candidate.
“Yabusele has struggled to find a role with New York this season after averaging a career-high 27.1 minutes and 11 points per game with Philadelphia last season,” Marks wrote. “Instead, he has been a DNP in three games and has played fewer than 15 minutes in his other 27 games.”
Marks added that the Knicks are currently $148,000 below the league’s second apron and that trading Yabusele would allow New York to sign two players while remaining below that threshold — a crucial financial flexibility point under the new CBA.
Mike Brown’s Criticism of Towns Highlights Internal Tension
The frontcourt conversation took on added significance following head coach Mike Brown’s pointed public criticism of Towns after the Knicks’ 112–101 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
With less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Towns drove into the lane, lost the ball, and fell to the floor. After getting up, he jogged back on defense and stopped short of halfcourt, allowing Precious Achiuwa to secure an uncontested offensive rebound that led to a Russell Westbrook corner three.
Brown called it a pivotal breakdown.
“He drove. Something happened where he fell down,” Brown said. “When you fall down, you’ve got to get up and sprint down the floor. Even when you’re the last guy down, you’ve got to get down there just in case there’s a long rebound. But there was no urgency. That wasn’t the only play, but on that particular play, there was no sense of urgency, and it was a five-point swing.”
Brown added, “We watched the play at halftime and he didn’t even cross halfcourt. That sums up what our night was.”
Towns finished with 13 points on 14 shots, five rebounds, and five steals.
Relationship Context and Deadline Implications
Brown’s remarks drew attention because of earlier reports of tension between coach and player early in their tenure together.
“Early on, there was some friction,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast in December. “He’s asked to do a little bit more grunt work… He’s still having an excellent season. He and Mike Brown are in a good place right now, from what I’m told.”
Still, with the Knicks navigating championship expectations, financial constraints, and depth concerns, even subtle internal dynamics can influence deadline strategy.
Whether New York ultimately pursues guard help, frontcourt insurance, or both, one thing is clear: the Knicks are not merely buying for need — they are buying for security, flexibility, and sustainability as they push toward a legitimate title window.
And as the trade deadline nears, the balance between stability and opportunism will define how aggressive the Knicks choose to be.