The Knicks closed out a win without Karl-Anthony Towns for the second time in four days, writes Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. On Saturday against Philadelphia, it was because he fouled out, but in Tuesday’s victory over Sacramento, coach Mike Brown made the decision to keep Towns on the bench for the final 6:51 and let Mitchell Robinson finish the game at center. The strategy worked as New York turned a four-point lead into a 16-point win after Towns departed.
Towns said of Brown’s decision. “We got a win, that’s the most important thing.”
Trade rumors have begun to emerge regarding Towns, whose offensive numbers have declined sharply in his first season under Brown. He finished with 17 points in 27 minutes last night while shooting 5-of-15 from the field and had a team-worst minus-3 rating.
After being acquired in a deal with Minnesota shortly before the start of last season, Towns teamed with Jalen Brunson to be the focus of the Knicks’ offense as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. He averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds while earning third-team All-NBA honors.
The coaching transition from Tom Thibodeau to Brown seems to have affected Towns more than any other player. His stats have fallen to 20.5 PPG and 11.4 RPG and his shooting numbers (46.6% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range) are the worst of his career.
“At the end of the game, we had a group out on the floor that was playing well,” Brown explained. “It was a tight ballgame, so I just rode that group to the end of the game, which I’ve done before. We have Deuce (Miles McBride) out there, who’s not a starter, Mitch out there, who’s not a starter. We needed to get the win.”
Robinson’s emergence has been a factor in Towns’ reduced playing time, as he posted a plus-25 rating in 27 minutes against the Kings. However, Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post notes that the Knicks’ focus on keeping Robinson healthy for the playoffs and avoiding any further issues with his left ankle means his availability is frequently in question.
There have been conflicting reports on whether the Knicks are actually exploring a Towns deal, but it doesn’t seem likely to happen until Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s future is resolved. With a $53.1MM salary this season that rises to $57MM in 2026/27, Towns could be a valuable piece in a potential deal for the Bucks star.
Going to be tough to find a team willing to take on that much payroll.
Yes, agreed but we see that there’s been plenty of trades involving a stud for a stud.
Sometimes it’s a stud for an unwanted stud plus equity.
Hopefully in the Warriors case, it will be an injured stud for an unwanted stud. We shall see !!
Or even Draymond since Knicks want someone who van play
Yes Michol, but I guess I was thinking, Butler plus lower salary guys like JK, Moody, Podski etc.
But as you mentioned, Butler probably doesn’t work for the Knicks because they need a guy who can play. It would have to be a five team massive deal for Butler to be included somehow.
Did you see these from today?
link to espn.com
“Kuminga hyperextended his left knee on a drive in Dallas on Thursday, which led to a minor bone bruise and some swelling. The Warriors sent Kuminga off their road trip back to San Francisco for treatment. Team sources said there’s some optimism he could return prior to the trade deadline and get rotation minutes before a decision is made about his future.
Multiple team sources have described it as less likely Kuminga is moved following Jimmy Butler’s right ACL tear. Without Butler, he’s back in the mix, scoring 30 points in 30 bench minutes before the injury. There’s internal conversation that he’d get another crack at minutes post-deadline — if he’s still around.”
link to espn.com
Now that Giannis looks to be obn teh move maybe they can get involved in a 3 or 4 team trade where Kuminga goes to Bucks.
Warriors not taking on that payroll unless Butler is included and there is 0 reason for Knicks to take Butler when he could be out next year too.
Playing Devil’s advocate here but this would be the offer for KAT.
Vucevic – $21M
Williams – $18M
Huerter – $17M
Total outgoing money ($56m)
Kat – $53M
Yabusele – $5.5M
Lottery protected 2030 pick
2026 2nd round pick
2028 2nd round pick (Via Indiana or Phoenix)
Total outgoing money ($58.5m)
Gives Bulls an actual big man and solves their rebounding problem. Durabaility has never been an issue for KAT. We all know the problem with KAT lol.
Giddey/Ayo/Buzelis/Okoro/KAT, then you trade Coby for the best possible package for a stretch 4.
Knicks – Brunson/Bridges/OG/Hart/Vucevic/Williams/Huerter/McBride
That lineup/rotation should get you to the finals.
Would be a good trade if Knicks are thinking of shed payroll to sign FA this summer. Knicks are right now thinking of getting in on the Giannis trade so they might want assets back to trade to the Bucks.
Arc, honestly I think they need to call and ask other teams to get on getting Giannis. I don’t believe they have enough assets to get him 1/1 deal.
As for my proposal, I don’t think it’s a hard price, it clears cap for them to rebuild in offseason and get someone else. The big ticketed salaries will be hard for them to take off the books, but getting rotational depth in the summer when you have $39M coming off the books would be crucial. For us, it would damage our projected $80M cap space if we acquire KAT, but I truly believe that we will not pick high enough in the AKME era to get someone like a talent like KAT. We need to get creative to draw stars/superstars to this franchise.
I have no idea what the Bucks want for Giannis which is going to hold up every deal right now. Giannis wants to go to Miami or NY. Most likely any trade will need more teams involved. So are bucks rebuilding or stubbornly think they can compete without Giannis? NY goal is to compete so they will want assets to win now.
I think a package around Herro/Ware would help Bucks more than any package NYK sends them. I know there’s other assets to be involved, but that’s my expectation. Maybe Jaquez as well with picks.
If I am Miami I would offer Bam and a 1st rounder in a trade with Giannis. Would not need to add much more onto the trade if Bucks are still thinking of being a playoff team.
That is awfully low for Bucks return. It doesn’t help them in the future to compete. Bam is a good player, but does ANYONE have him in their top 30???
Any deals that takes PWill out of our hands is fine with me
^^^ This also clears Knicks cap for $38M headed into the offseason and reload with expiring deals of Vu/Huerter.
Please no KAT for dubs. No like.
he is not coming to warriors. they would need to move Green payroll for it to happen.
Yea let him go to bulls.