Trade Proposal for Center Karl-Anthony Towns that could change the NBA

NBA insider Zach Lowe has proposed an interesting trade involving former number 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns. The trade would send Towns to the New York Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and five first-round draft picks.

Check out Zach Lowe pitching KAT trades for the Knicks. They eventually land on RJ+IQ+salary+5 FRPs (3 from other teams, 2 protected Knicks).

Depending on how you value the draft capital, this package is in the range of what Utah was lauded for getting for Rudy Gobert. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/tNScRJfWLZ— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) October 20, 2023

Timberwolves Centers

For several months now, there have been rumors that the Timberwolves are looking to trade either Karl-Anthony Towns or Rudy Gobert this season. The two stars are the highest-paid players for the Timberwolves this season. Along with backup Naz Reid, they are currently paying out around $90 million for their center spot this season. This is almost double the salary of the rest of the roster combined. With a lack of depth around other positions, it just makes sense that Minnesota will look to move one of their max-contract centers.


The haul from the Knicks will not only achieve this by adding the two young guards, Barrett and Quickly, but also give them a plethora of draft capital, which would make up for what they gave away in the trade they made to acquire Rudy Gobert in 2022.

The Minnesota Timberwolves spending $400 million on centers isn't so bad when you consider that on annual basis it's only 2/3rds of the salary cap. You still have like a whole other third of the cap to acquire additional centers https://t.co/7QrTGlUGM9— Tim Dunkman (@TimDunkman) June 26, 2023

I appreciate the sentiment, but this is a salary capped league, and we're about to be spending $90+ million on two centers who can't help you in the playoffs. Ant is a superhero, but he can't make me forget that sad, sad fact. Fire Connelly!!!— jl (@laje0101) April 26, 2023

Towns on the Knicks

The Knicks have reportedly been monitoring several marquee superstars over the past year, with the most notable names being Donovan Mitchell, Joel Embiid, and Karl-Anthony Towns. This shows that the Knicks are open to the possibility of bringing Towns to reunite with his former coach, Tom Thibodeau.

Knicks president Leon Rose, with owner James Dolan & SVP Gersson Rosas, calls over Karl—Anthony Towns pregame pic.twitter.com/qba8xUGy7o— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 14, 2023

Despite being in one of the best media markets and one of the two most desirable places for stars to move to, the Knicks have not successfully recruited a notable star player since Carmelo Anthony in 2011. Even with players like All-Stars Randle and Brunsen, they weren't considered stars until arriving in New York and elevating their games in the "Mecca" of basketball. Towns could potentially be the first star player to join them and help elevate the team to championship contention in the Eastern Conference.

One of the most significant advantages of trading for Towns is that it would provide the Knicks with an additional offensive weapon for the playoffs. The primary struggle for the Knicks in the postseason has been securing consistent scoring from their stars, and Towns is known for his reliability in this regard. He has averaged over 20 points per season since his rookie year and is widely regarded as the best shooter among centers in NBA history. His shooting ability would also help stretch the floor and create space for Brunsen and Randle to drive to the basket more effectively, ultimately elevating the entire offense.


While Towns alone might not transform the Knicks into instant championship contenders like the Celtics and Bucks, he would undoubtedly make them a better team and take them one step closer. At only 27 years of age, Towns is entering his prime and has many years ahead to further develop alongside Brunsen and Randle.

Credits
Daily Knicks