The New York Knicks made a huge improvement to their roster before the 2024-25 campaign by trading for All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but still fell short of the NBA Finals.
While Towns is not directly to blame for their postseason shortcomings, rumors were swirling after their Eastern Conference Finals exit that teammates and coaches were disappointed by his play on the defensive end.
If the right opportunity presents itself this offseason, the Knicks could decide it’s already worth cutting ties with Towns in a blockbuster trade.
Knicks Predicted to Trade for Kevin Durant
The superstar most likely to see a change of scenery this summer is Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant, as the organization continues coming up short of expectations. The ‘Big 3’ of Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal was an epic failure, and considering the 15-time All-Star is most desperate for a title, he’ll likely be the first to go.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus predicted that the following four-team blockbuster trade could take place between the Knicks, Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, and Washington Wizards.
Pelicans Get:
Knicks Get:
Suns Get:
Dejounte Murray
Yves Missi
Kelly Olynyk
Its own 2026 first-round pick (via Washington’s swap rights)
Indiana’s 2026 first-round pick (top-four protection, via New Orleans)
New Orleans’ 2026 first-round pick (top-nine protection)
2028 first-round swap (least favorable of Brooklyn, New York, and Phoenix, via New York)
Toronto’s 2031 first-round pick (via New Orleans)
Wizards Get:
P.J. Tucker
2027 first-round pick swap (most favorable of Milwaukee and New Orleans, with top-four protection, via New Orleans)
Towns teaming up with Zion Williamson in New Orleans is an intriguing fit, the Suns certainly get plenty of draft capital in return for Durant, and the Wizards help facilitate the deal, but how much sense does Durant to the Knicks make?
Few NBA fans would debate that Durant is a better overall player than Towns. However, the Suns superstar makes less sense in New York than Towns given the current circumstances.
Durant is entering the final season of a four-year, $194 million deal, meaning there’s a real chance he could leave or retire after a single season with the Knicks. Meanwhile, Towns has two more guaranteed seasons under contract, potentially lengthening their title-contending window.
Towns is coming off arguably the best season of his career in just his first campaign in New York. It would be foolish for their front office to part with him so soon in favor of a 36-year-old, who is still phenomenal but well past his prime.
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Pincus gave the following rationale for New York dealing Towns, writing, “Still, the four-time scoring champ remains a more viable No. 2 option, something the Knicks consistently lacked all season.
“His arrival also counts as a defensive upgrade—not just on an individual basis, but also because it spares New York from having to plan around the weaknesses of the Towns-Jalen Brunson duo.”
“Dealing Towns for someone more than seven years older while also giving up a swap doesn’t sit totally right,” Pincus concluded.
