At some point, we’ve all had to ask ourselves a question: is this working? At times, NBA teams need to ask themselves the same question. It’s not easy to accept, but sometimes, something just isn’t working.
Is it working between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Karl-Anthony Towns? It’s a fair question. This team has struggled to find success with Towns in the middle. Last summer, they moved him to the perimeter by acquiring Rudy Gobert. That didn’t work either. Towns struggles to guard the interior, but he has even more difficulty on the perimeter.
Trading Towns won’t be easy. He was supposed to be this team’s franchise player. At the same time, it may be necessary. This isn’t necessarily working. If the Timberwolves are willing to accept that, could they trade Towns to the New York Knicks?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, G Immanuel Quickley, 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F/C Karl-Anthony Towns
Nobody likes to give up. If you have a vision, you want to stick to it. With that said, it isn’t always practical. Sometimes, you cost yourself opportunities in the process.
Think about relationships. Did you ever stay in a relationship for too long? Sure, you had a vision for the relationship – you wanted it to work. If you stay in it for too long, you could cost yourself opportunities. For all you know, you could have met someone else.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & New York Knicks Updates
The same holds true in the NBA. When a player and a team are struggling to get over the hump, it’s unlikely that the player’s trade value will increase. Eventually, a team’s desperation to move a player will become obvious. Even now, the Wolves wouldn’t get the type of return for Towns that they could have two years ago. Should they still move him?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
For the Wolves, this will depend on how they feel about Barrett. He’s been inconsistent as a Knick, but he has flashed potential. If they’re willing to invest in that potential, this is a fair return. Otherwise, the wolves may pass.
Although, they’re still landing Quickly and a pair of unprotected first-rounders. Some will say that’s not enough. Granted, the Wolves did move four unprotected first-round picks for Gobert. That’s not New York’s fault. The Wolves overpaid for Gobert, and they won’t make all of that draft capital up at once.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & New York Knicks Updates
Finally, the Wolves will be hoping for some addition by subtraction here. They can pair Gobert and Jaden McDaniels in the frontcourt to form a potentially elite defense. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards and Quickley can be the backbone of a solid offense. Should the Knicks take a risk on Towns?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
This is a bold decision for the Knicks. They’d be creating a roster crunch instantly. Between Towns, Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle, and Isiah Hartenstein, they’ll absolutely have to make another move. That shouldn’t deter them from acquiring Towns – he’s the most talented player of that bunch.
How will the final roster look? We’re not sure. Robinson is a little better defender in space than Gobert – he may be a better partner for Towns. Alternatively, the Knicks could pair Towns with Randle and go all-in on offense. Finally, they could play jumbo ball by putting Randle at the 3.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves & New York Knicks Updates
Who cares? They’re acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns. He’s one of the best offensive big men in the history of basketball. Moreover, Towns may benefit from a change of scenery – after all, something doesn’t seem to be working in Minnesota.
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