NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks, Nets and Heat are ready to make a TRADE OFFER to Timberwolves for Anthony-Towns?

 

There are rumors that the New York Knicks are interested in acquiring star big man Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to an NBA source, the interest is mutual and to some people, it's more a matter of when the Knicks will go after him, not if. However, they won't be alone as the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, and Indiana Pacers are also potential suitors for Towns.

One Eastern Conference executive thinks that the Knicks would be a good fit for Towns. He believes that Towns can still be sold high despite a not-so-great year, considering that he's still young and under contract until 2027-28. The Knicks have connections to Towns, as he's from New Jersey and has a base there. It's also a good mix personnel-wise, which makes it a logical fit.

However, it might be hasty for the Timberwolves to deal Towns only one year into the Rudy Gobert experiment. They don't have to rush into a decision unless Towns decides to force a deal. But if the current roster can't get past the first round of the postseason, it's time to take a longer look at which players the team wants to build around. Anthony Edwards is already a star, and he's only 21, which puts him on a different timeline than Towns. He's the future in Minnesota, and at some point, he'll be the player whom the team will build around.

A Towns trade could eventually make sense, especially if Minnesota can recoup some of the draft picks from the Gobert trade or bring aboard younger players such as Knicks wing RJ Barrett and/or guard Immanuel Quickley. An Eastern Conference executive mulled over the potential compensation the Timberwolves could get in return. He mentioned that they could start with R.J. Barrett, but they can also send Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, and Miles McBride. Minnesota might be a better team by putting it all on Edwards and getting the right pieces from that mix.

It's an interesting framework for both sides. A core of Towns, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and a number of two-way players around them would make sense. The Wolves could build around players like Edwards, Barrett, Toppin, and perhaps Quickley. However, it's unlikely that it will happen this offseason, but it could be something worth monitoring down the line.