Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks, Giannis trade
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Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks drives the ball past Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on February 01, 2026 in New York City.
The NBA announced on Tuesday that New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns will represent Team World at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. The news comes amid the Knicks’ aggressive pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the NBA trade deadline in a deal that could send Towns to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Knicks, with limited draft assets, would have to move two of Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, along with other pieces, to pull off a Giannis trade. Many analysts have urged the Knicks against such a big splash, worrying that Mike Brown’s team could ruin its chemistry amid its 7-game winning streak. During their winning streak, the Knicks have outscored their opponents by a whopping 173 points — the best differential over a 7-game span in franchise history, per ESPN Insights.
Karl-Anthony Towns Snubs Team USA
It’s worth noting that Towns has been the Knicks’ fifth-leading scorer during their seven-game winning streak, averaging 13.3 points and 13.6 rebounds. His minutes have dropped to 26.6 per game, for the most part, due to the Knicks keeping Mitchell Robinson on the floor in crucial stretches for defensive purposes.
Some analysts believe that Towns and the Knicks could ultimately part ways, even if not by Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, amid his reported frustrations. Perhaps a stint with Team World at All-Star weekend will rejuvenate Towns, who previously explained why he prefers to go up against Team USA in the exhibition contest.
The NBA granted Towns’ wish Tuesday by naming him as part of Team World. An American citizen, KAT has been eligible to play for the Dominican Republic at FIBA events due to his mother’s heritage. He has represented their national team since age 16, at events including the 2012 Centrobasket, the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship, the 2023 FIBA World Cup and most recently, the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece. He nearly helped the Dominican Republic qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics before their semifinal against Croatia in the qualifiers.
Giannis Trade: Knicks Still in the Hunt
Amid growing buzz that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat have emerged as the most likely Giannis trade landing spots, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Tuesday that the Knicks are still very much in the race.
“On the flip side, the fact that all of these teams are choosing to stay in the hunt — and yes, per a team source, that still includes the Knicks — is revealing in its own right,” wrote Amick, highlighting the Giannis trade suitors are determined to go down swinging until Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. “There’s an internal price that is sometimes paid to be part of this sort of high-profile process.”
Amick’s report added that the Bucks have yet to receive an offer that has brought them close to pulling the trigger on a Giannis trade, and all signs point to a deal getting delayed until after the NBA Draft Lottery.
“As of Monday evening, the offers coming the Bucks’ way for the “Greek Freak” were still believed to be so underwhelming — in the eyes of rival executives and agents — that this saga looked likely to extend into the summertime,” wrote the insider.