NBA Notes: Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns, Lakers, Austin Reaves, Nuggets

Knicks

New York’s flirtation with Giannis Antetokounmpo last offseason never gained traction.

The Knicks spoke with Milwaukee about a potential deal after Antetokounmpo identified New York as a preferred destination, but talks stalled.

One factor may have been the inclusion of Karl-Anthony Towns as outgoing salary, a player some around the league remain lukewarm on.

“I don’t think there is a trade market for KAT,” one NBA executive told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “Not that he is a bad player, but he’s not a winning player. It’s too much money to spend on him.”

Sources told Sam Amick of The Athletic that those discussions created lingering tension between Towns and the Knicks front office, feelings that have not fully cooled.

Towns, however, brushed off recent trade noise.

“I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors a lot for a lot of times, for a year damn near,” Towns said. “That don’t matter to me. I focus on the job at hand, which is trying to get wins every single night.”

Lakers

Austin Reaves is inching closer to a return.

The Lakers upgraded Reaves to questionable for Friday’s game in Washington, according to the team’s injury report, via Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. The fifth-year guard has been sidelined since December 25 with a Grade 2 left calf strain.

In 23 games this season, Reaves has averaged 26.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds while shooting efficiently across the board. Los Angeles is 15-8 with him in the lineup, compared to 13-10 without him.

Coach JJ Redick previously said Reaves was progressing well and tracking toward a return during the team’s current road trip.

Luka Doncic is also listed as questionable for Friday due to left ankle soreness.

Nuggets

Denver will be without Aaron Gordon for a while.

Shams Charania of ESPN reports Gordon will be reevaluated in four to six weeks due to a right hamstring strain, with Bennett Durando of The Denver Post confirming the timeline. Gordon aggravated the injury during Denver’s January 23 win in Milwaukee.

The Nuggets had hoped the latest setback would be minor, but the recovery window now mirrors the six-week absence he endured earlier this season.

Gordon has averaged 17.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 23 appearances while providing elite defense. Denver is 17-6 when he plays and 14-10 when he does not.

The Nuggets should receive a boost soon, however. Nikola Jokic is expected to be reevaluated next week as he works back from a knee injury.