Knicks may not be trying to trade Karl-Anthony Towns, but likely listening

The Karl-Anthony Towns trade chatter in New York is officially in that familiar space between smoke, mirrors, and strategic leaking.

Steve Popper of Newsday reported last week that the Knicks have discussed Towns in trade talks with multiple teams. Ian Begley of SNY and Sam Amick of The Athletic pushed back, saying they have not heard real buzz that Towns is actively being shopped.

Now Stefan Bondy of the New York Post adds that, per sources, the Knicks have not been “shopping” Towns and are not currently engaging teams in serious trade talks involving the five-time All-Star.

Bondy does allow that this could change as the February 5 deadline approaches, but he does not expect Towns to be moved.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line offers a familiar counterpoint. Rival teams reportedly believe New York’s public stance may be more posture than promise, and that the Knicks at minimum want a clear picture of Towns’ market value if the right scenario presents itself.

In other words, the Knicks might not be trying to trade Towns, but they are probably listening. Quietly.

Towns, 30, is averaging 20.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting efficiently across the board. He is under contract through the 2027-28 season, including a $61 million player option in the final year.

So consider this less a trade rumor and more a temperature check. Whether it turns into something real remains to be seen.