Karl-Anthony Towns Karl-Anthony Towns trade, knicks trade
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Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks stands for the national anthem before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
There have been conflicting reports about the New York Knicks exploring a trade for All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, rival teams are not ruling out a potential blockbuster Knicks trade involving KAT, amid their 2-8 record in 2026.
“I know [James] Dolan came out and publicly said that this is the roster and he doesn’t expect any big moves,” Edwards wrote on Jan. 21.
“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 [in a potential KAT trade] 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.”
NBACentral
People around the league don’t think a Karl-Anthony Towns trade is off the table, per @JLEdwardsIII
“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
Knicks Trade Deadline Plans
Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported the Knicks are not keen on trading KAT or any of their core pieces, and are only shopping Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadie to shore up their second-unit ball-handling and perimeter shooting.
“The Knicks are not looking to do a deal involving Karl-Anthony Towns,” Mannix said on his “NBA on NBC” podcast.
“They’re not looking to do a deal involving Mikal Bridges. They’re frankly not looking to trade any of their core guys, and that includes Mitchell Robinson, who made some interesting social media posts as of late, which I’m told is just Mitch being Mitch.”
It would be a stunning 180 by the Knicks to trade Towns, whom they paid a premium to acquire from the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the 2024-25 season. In his first season, Towns put up numbers not seen in Knicks lore since Patrick Ewing and Bob McAdoo, while playing a key role in their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance of the century. Furthermore, he was reportedly deemed unavailable in a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other star player over the offseason.
KAT, Knicks Headed for Divorce?
Although Towns has enjoyed more good days than bad as a member of the Knicks, the last month or so hasn’t been pleasant for the sharpshooting big man. He has been widely blamed for the Knicks’ 26th-ranked defense in January, and even his offensive numbers have taken a nosedive since the start of the new year.
Some have also floated the theory of a possible conflict between Towns and Knicks head coach Mike Brown, specifically due to the way he’s been used in the offense. Towns is averaging 2.3 fewer shots since Brown took over from Tom Thibodeau, and his post-ups have dipped to 2.0 per game this season compared to 3.1 last year.
Amid Towns’ statistical regression, Newsday’s Steve Popper reported last week that the Knicks have held discussions with teams such as the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets on a potential trade.
Towns has also been routinely booed by Knicks fans in recent weeks.