The New York Knicks are not interested in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns, according to NBA insider Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Towns’ agent when he was with CAA, so the Timberwolves big man has been heavily linked to New York. However, the Knicks have not expressed any interest in trading for Towns.
“According to league sources who have talked business with them, the Wolves have set a sky-high price on Towns, too,” Katz wrote. “And according to another league source, in spite of what the constant speculation may tell you, the Knicks have not expressed any interest in trading for Towns.”
Towns signed a four-year, $224.2 million designated veteran player extension with the Timberwolves in July 2022. Minnesota hasn’t gotten past the first round of the playoffs in the KAT era, which began in 2015-16.
The 27-year-old Towns averaged 20.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season while shooting 49.5% from the field, 36.6% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free-throw line. The three-time All-Star only played in 29 games due to a serious calf injury.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & New York Knicks Updates
Minnesota lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games and Towns and Rudy Gobert weren’t a good fit together in the frontcourt. It’s going to be interesting to track Towns’ future with the Timberwolves moving forward, especially since it appears Anthony Edwards is the new franchise player.
As for the Knicks, they are saving their draft picks and young players to trade for a bonafide superstar. New York has signaled to other teams that if the right star becomes available, the front office will be aggressive in pursuing him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & New York Knicks Updates
That player, though, won’t be Towns, James Harden, Damian Lillard or Paul George. Harden and Lillard have requested trades, while the Knicks were briefly interested in trading for George.
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