Report: Knicks Want To Trade For Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns

According to CP “The Fanchise,” the New York Knicks want to trade for Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns, one of the top players in the NBA. 

New York president Leon Rose used to be Towns’ agent when he ran CAA.

Towns was born in Edison, New Jersey.

Knicks “want Towns…They see what Boston can do with true 5-Out system…We have to monitor this Julius extension…Not necessarily advocating…Just telling you…the interest’s real”

– Watch full @CPTheFanchise on KAT including at around :29 & 1 :15 marks: https://t.co/PerBas52pT https://t.co/hRVpIYr09w pic.twitter.com/jIuLpW3WlW

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 9, 2024

Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks for the Timberwolves in 2023-24 while shooting 50.4% from the field, 41.6% from beyond the arc and 87.3% from the free-throw line.  

The Timberwolves lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the conference finals in five games, while the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in seven games. 

New York head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is expected to sign an extension this offseason, coached Towns on the Timberwolves. 

A four-time All-Star, Towns has career averages of 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks. He was the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. 

Towns, who has made two All-NBA teams, signed a four-year, $221 million extension in July 2022. He will make $49.4 million next season. 

Towns and Anthony Edwards have massive extensions kicking in next season and Rudy Gobert is slated to make max money as well. Towns or Gobert have to be traded for the Timberwolves to avoid paying a huge luxury tax bill under the new CBA.

The Knicks already made one big move this offseason, acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. It will be fascinating to see if New York pursues Towns next. 

New York would have to trade Julius Randle to acquire Towns. Randle is eligible to sign an extension with the Knicks on August 3. New York could offer the All-Star a contract as large as $181.5 million over four years.