New York Knicks Receive: C Karl-Anthony Towns, F Jake Layman
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F Obi Toppin, G Immanuel Quickley, C Mitchell Robinson, G Frank Ntilikina, F Kevin Knox, LAC 2021 1st Round Pick (via NYK) , DAL 2021 1st Round Pick (via NYK)
While he seems content with the Minnesota Timberwolves at the moment, Karl-Anthony Towns is definitely the player the Knicks should have at the top of their target list moving forward. Not only is Towns one of the better big men in the entire NBA, but he is from Metuchen, New Jersey, and grew up a Knicks fan.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have had just one winning season since 2005 and Karl-Anthony Towns has been in a situation a lot like Zach LaVine in Chicago in the sense that both players are stuck on losing teams. Towns has verbally said he’s committed to Minnesota and building something special there, but who knows what his true intentions are.
Karl-Anthony Towns is also under contract through the 2023-24 NBA season, making a trade the only plausible way for the Knicks to get their hands on the former number one overall pick. With three first-round picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Knicks could put together quite a trade package to try and trade for Towns at some point this year or even next offseason.
The Knicks would have to give up a ton of their youthful talents to acquire Towns at this year’s trade deadline, but it could be very worthwhile for them to solidify themselves as a legit threat in the Eastern Conference. Even after making this trade, the Knicks could still have enough cap space to go after more high-level talents and potentially add another All-Star caliber talent next offseason.
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The impact Towns would have on the New York Knicks would be immense, especially given their need to add a superstar talent like him. With R.J. Barrett and Julius Randle as the two core guys for the Knicks, they need a big-time talent to be able to lead them and also lure other All-Star talents to the Knicks in order to build a very talented contender in the East.
Although he would come at a very hefty price, Karl-Anthony Towns could do wonders in Madison Square Garden and would be the best player the Knicks have had since Patrick Ewing in the 90’s. It should come as no surprise to see New York interested in a player like Towns and given their early success, they could potentially make the playoffs for the first time since 2013 if they make this move.
With that said, let’s take a look at why this trade could make sense for both the Timberwolves and the Knicks.
