Orlando Magic v New York Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns
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The Magic are being linked to Karl-Anthony Towns as they weigh a major roster decision ahead of the deadline.
The Orlando Magic have quietly emerged as a potential pivot point in the NBA trade market, with league sources confirming they have discussed a possible deal for Karl-Anthony Towns with the New York Knicks.
According to Steve Popper of Newsday, Orlando is one of three teams, alongside the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets,that have held exploratory conversations with New York regarding Towns. While no deal appears imminent, the Magic’s inclusion is telling given where the franchise sits competitively.
Orlando has built one of the league’s strongest defensive foundations, but the next step, true Eastern Conference contention, still requires an offensive accelerant. Towns represents exactly that type of swing.
Why Towns Fits Orlando’s Timeline
The Magic already have their cornerstones in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, two versatile scorers who can attack mismatches and defend multiple positions. What they lack is a high-level offensive big who can stretch the floor, punish switches, and relieve pressure in half-court settings.
Towns, even in a down season, checks those boxes. Through 41 games, the 30-year-old is averaging 20.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. His efficiency has dipped to a career-worst 46.9 percent from the field, but context matters. Towns has struggled to adjust to Mike Brown’s system in New York and has been publicly challenged for effort and urgency. A change of environment and role could reset that trajectory.
In Orlando, Towns would not be asked to carry the offense. Instead, he would function as a spacing hub next to Banchero, opening driving lanes while forcing defenses to pick their poison.
Also on defense he would have the proper infrastructure around him to make up for his deficiencies. Even without elite rim protection or point of attack defense across the roster, coach Jamal Mosley has been able to mold the Magic into a top-5 defensive team over the last two seasons.
The Cost and the Risk for Orlando
The biggest question is price. Towns is earning $53.1 million this season, with $57 million owed next year and a $61 million player option for 2027-28. Acquiring him would be a commitment, both financially and structurally.
League perception suggests the Knicks are not expecting a franchise-altering return. Fred Katz of The Athletic recently reported that executives around the league have compared Towns’ trade value to the Trae Young deal, more of being able to getting expiring contracts and improving team salary structure rather than picks or swapping stars.
That framework aligns with a proposal floated by Fadeaway World’s Fran Leiva, which would send Towns to Orlando in exchange for Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac, Jase Richardson, and two future second-round picks.
Suggs would be the centerpiece. He is producing 15.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field, a legitimate two-way guard with real on-ball impact. Isaac, meanwhile, remains an elite defensive disruptor when healthy, even if his offensive role is minimal.
Taking A Calculated Risk
From Orlando’s perspective, the question becomes philosophical: do you consolidate depth and defensive versatility for a proven offensive star?
The Magic have of course already made this kind of move once this season, making the move to acquire Desmond Bane that resulted in moving multiple players and picks. Although it has not paid dividends in the shooting department, Bane has remained a constant as the only Orlando starter who has not missed time due to an injury this season.
Along with averaging just over 18 points per game, he has hit a handful of big shots including two game winners already this season. But the offense has still left much to be desired which only further drives the Magic’s potential want to be buyers at the deadline.
Adding Towns would signal a shift from promising to aggressive. It would place Orlando firmly in the mix with the East’s upper tier, especially if Desmond Bane can stabilize the point guard position and allow Banchero and Wagner to operate freely. This would likely move Anthony Black back to the bench, but he has thrived in a multitude of different roles and positions this season amidst all of the roster influx
There is risk. Towns’ contract is massive, and his defensive consistency has fluctuated. But for a team built on structure and length, the upside may finally outweigh the caution.
If Orlando is serious about contending sooner rather than later, this is the kind of bet that defines a franchise’s direction.