NBA trade proposal sends Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns to Magic, involves Nets

Here we go. Hypothetical season. Trade machine season. Let’s have some fun.

A three-team trade proposal from Bleacher Report would send Karl-Anthony Towns from the Knicks to the Magic, in a move that feels ambitious, chaotic, and very internet.

Let’s take a look:

Knicks receive

• Wendell Carter Jr.
• Haywood Highsmith
• Jalen Suggs

Magic receive

• Karl-Anthony Towns
• Day’Ron Sharpe

Nets receive

• Jonathan Isaac
• Jett Howard
• 2026 first-round pick (from Wizards; top-eight protection; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed; via Knicks)
• 2028 second-round pick (least favorable of Pacers and Suns; via Knicks)
• 2030 second-round pick (more favorable of Magic and Pelicans; via Magic)
• 2031 first-round swap (via Magic)

Is it happening? Probably not. Is it interesting? Absolutely.

The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III has said he would not be stunned if New York eventually moves Towns, especially as the team wobbles and league execs keep circling. Newsday’s Steve Popper previously reported Memphis, Orlando, and Charlotte as teams that have at least kicked the tires.

Towns is making over $53 million this season, has no no-trade clause, and remains highly productive at over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. The price tag is massive. The defense is still a question. The fit is still debated.

For Orlando, the idea of pairing Towns with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Desmond Bane is fun on paper. They need scoring. They need juice. Towns provides both.

For New York, this would signal a pivot. Not a rebuild. But a reshuffle.

Either way, today, it lives in proposal land. But with the Knicks, hey man, never say never.