The New York Knicks are not playing their best basketball of late, and star big man Karl-Anthony Towns is slumping under new head coach Mike Brown.
But does that mean that the Knicks would decide to move on from Towns after trading Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to acquire him from the Minnesota Timberwolves? According to Sam Amick, such a transaction is deemed unlikely (via The Athletic):
According to league and team sources, the Knicks have not engaged in any discussions about a possible Towns trade this season and plan on persevering with him during this challenging time. That intel is consistent with what Dolan said in his interview, when he insisted that “This group can win a championship; I believe that.”
SNY’s Ian Begley echoed the same. However, not all reporting is consistent with that messaging and there is more beneath the surface.
Here is additional info from Marc Stein (via The Stein Line):
“Behind the scenes, Knicks officials have tried to downplay any notion that Karl-Anthony Towns could be traded during the season amid New York’s (and Towns’) January struggles.
However …
A belief persists among some rival teams that Towns is in play to some degree. Or that the Knicks, at the very least, have tried to get a sense of what his market would be.”
The Athletic’s James Edwards reported that the return “wouldn’t be grand” while his colleague Fred Katz pointed to the return the Hawks got for Trae Young as a potential comparison.
In that case, what teams may intrigue New York for a potential move of this magnitude? Here are a few.
1. Milwaukee Bucks
If the Knicks are going to trade Towns, their main target is almost certainly Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite his injury, if New York’s office is going big-game hunting, this is the most notable name conceivably available and would be more than worth putting all their chips in the center of the table.
2. Portland Trail Blazers
In fact, per Stein, the Knicks are so interested in alluring Antetokounmpo that they are reportedly interested in also trading for his former teammate Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers to make themselves feel like an even more appealing trade destination.
It is unclear what the Knicks could offer to get both Holiday and Antetokounmpo, but perhaps the Trail Blazers are another team worth considering for those watching potential Towns destinations.
For what it is worth: Portland’s front office reportedly has long admired Mikal Bridges, per Jake Fischer.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Another team that is in the news as a potential mover and shaker before the deadline is the Memphis Grizzlies, with trade rumors swirling both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
While neither player makes a ton of sense in a one-to-one deal for Towns, perhaps the Grizzlies work themselves in as part of a three-team deal to accommodate this type of a blockbuster.
4. Orlando Magic
According to Newsday’s Steve Popper, the Magic are another franchise reportedly linked to Karl-Anthony Towns. Orlando has some of the weakest 3-point shooting in the NBA, so KAT could theoretically help space the floor for them in the Eastern Conference.
5. Charlotte Hornets
Popper also reported that the Hornets could have interest in a deal for KAT, too. However, there isn’t an obvious fit on Charlotte’s roster that would notably improve New York’s championship odds right now.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 Karl-Anthony Towns landing spots as NBA trade rumors swirl