New York Knicks Could Look To Trade Karl-Anthony Towns Depending On One Key Factor

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesIt’s been a rocky start to the season for the defending NBA champions. At 4-4, the New York Knicks have been painfully mediocre since opening night, and they’ve dug themselves into an early hole as the seventh seed in the East. Even so, they have more pressing concerns at the moment that threaten to disrupt all the progress they’ve made so far.At the top of the list is Karl-Anthony Towns‘ negotiations, which remain at a deadlock after multiple weeks. With no agreement in sight, one NBA insider says the Knicks will consider trading him unless they are absolutely sure he’ll stick around.“The Knicks would be crazy to trade Towns at this point, but then, the Knicks are crazy not to have found common ground on an extension before the season started,” wrote Sean Deveney. “So, we can’t rule out a deal if it looks like Towns will seriously weigh leaving in the summer of 2027. The Knicks have put that option on the table for him, and he will have suitors if nothing changes between now and June 30.”Winning the title is usually enough justification to keep the roster together, but Knicks owner James Dolan made it clear that his team will not cross the second apron, even if it means losing critical rotation players. So far, the only odd one out is Mitchell Robinson, but Towns could be next if his situation doesn’t change.By all accounts, KAT would prefer to stay in New York, where he’s enjoyed the best stretch of his career. After a failed stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he’s found a home on the Knicks. With averages of 22.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game on 51.7% shooting from the field, his play has been crucial to their recent success, and he’s not so easily replaced. In fact, without his presence in the frontcourt, the Knicks would never have won the Finals last year.Despite his role and importance to the team, the Knicks have been hesitant to offer him a long-term contract extension, opening the possibility of his departure as soon as this upcoming summer. If it comes to that, instead of losing him for nothing, we can expect the Knicks to find a suitable trade partner that would give all parties something to gain, and there would be no shortage of interested teams.One suggested deal would send Towns to the Miami Heat in exchange for Bam Adebayo. It would be a clean star swap with the potential to improve the situation for both of the teams involved. Another potential destination is the Chicago Bulls, a team with both the assets and the motive to acquire Towns. Finally, there’s the Golden State Warriors, who have a well-known vacancy in their frontcourt.Whether it’s one of those teams or a surprise franchise, Towns would surely generate plenty of interest on the open market. That’s why it’s imperative for the Knicks not to let him become a free agent and risk losing him for nothing. If they can’t reach an agreement at some point this season, their best option would be to get back whatever they can for in a trade.