This off-season, the Knicks have already pulled off several blockbuster moves, trading five first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges and signing OG Anunoby to an extension worth over $40 million annually.
Knicks’ Contract Strategies and Financial Planning
The Knicks are still working out some contract details, including those for Jalen Brunson and potentially Julius Randle, if they plan to secure him on a long-term agreement. Currently, they have some financial flexibility, but CP The Franchise from Knicks Fan TV reports that they are also contemplating a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Karl-Anthony Towns: An Expensive Option
Towns has just finished a strong season with Minnesota, but his contract is highly costly and would place the Knicks in a challenging financial position. The 28-year-old is set to enter a four-year, $220.4 million deal, with a $49.2 million cap hit for the upcoming season.
The Knicks cannot manage this level of expenditure without offloading one of their current players and reaching the second salary apron of $189.5 million. Even if they reach this threshold and trade Mitchell Robinson, they would still have about $31.8 million in salary space, necessitating the movement of Julius Randle if they wish to proceed with the acquisition.
Towns’ Influence and Suitability with the Knicks
Given their financial constraints, Minnesota is unlikely to keep Towns on his current contract, which could prompt interest from the Knicks. However, the Knicks would need to get very creative and potentially dismantle part of their core to make the deal feasible.
Last season, Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and three assists, with shooting percentages of .504 from the field and .416 from three-point range. He was an exceptional shooter, played as a power forward, and earned another All-Star selection. Despite a generally strong performance, his play was inconsistent during the playoffs.
Evaluating Alternative Options
Certainly, acquiring Towns would be a game-changing move for the Knicks, bringing in a formidable big man known for his exceptional rebounding and shooting skills. However, with their current array of scoring options, adding Towns—who averaged 15.3 shots per game—might be excessive. Instead, the team has been connected to Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz, who is seen as a primary center focused on rebounding and shot-blocking.
Critical Decisions Ahead
Maintaining the current roster and complementing Robinson may be a more prudent approach than taking on KAT’s contract, which will pay him $61 million in the 2027–28 season when he is 32 years old, under a player option. This move could be more detrimental than beneficial, potentially limiting their playoff prospects rather than significantly improving them.
