The New York Knicks can only make a blockbuster trade to acquire a superstar if they are willing to part with Karl-Anthony Towns. Just like the Lakers had to give up Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and one first-round draft pick to get Luka Doncic at last season's deadline. New York must be willing to part with the five-time All-Star big man to get into any sweepstakes for Giannis Antetokounmpo or another top ten player that becomes available.
The Giannis rumors are not dying down until he’s out of Milwaukee, but the Knicks' exclusive window is gone. There will be multiple bidders, which only drives the price up for New York. It might even take two of their top six players because New York is so light on draft capital.
KAT is an elite shooter and scorer. Knicks head coach Mike Brown believes he’s underrated by fans, but New York has to trade him if a top ten player is available. It will be painful, but such is life in the modern NBA.
Knick’s must trade Karl-Anthony Towns to make a blockbuster deal
KAT is averaging 22.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game so far this season. His shooting percentages are down as he adjusts to a new offense, but Towns has long been a 50-40 player. He makes more than half of his field goal attempts and shoots over 40 percent from 3-point range. Those are outstanding numbers, but KAT’s playoff struggles are well-documented.
Towns is a top 25 player in the NBA, but getting a Giannis-level option would be too good to pass up. The Knicks can only offer a protected Wizards first-round pick in 2026 that is almost certain to turn into two second-rounders and two first-round swaps in any trade. They are not winning a bidding war on draft capital, so it will have to be done with talent.
The Lakers didn’t have a mountain of draft capital, but they dealt a top 20 player, a 3-and-D wing, and a first rounder to get Luka. It was mismanaged by Nico Harrison and the Mavericks, but the era of giving up four and five draft picks may be over. The second apron has made cost-controlled contracts even more important.
It may also give the Knicks a puncher’s chance at landing an elite talent. Towns ranked 21st in The Ringer’s top 100 players, which alone is a strong foundation to trade for Giannis or any top ten player. It will take the Knicks getting creative, but the Lakers kept Austin Reaves and another first-round pick out of the Luka trade. New York has a shot to repeat the feat. It is all about finding the right trade partner.
To be clear, they aren't getting Luka Doncic. The superstar signed an extension with the Lakers in the offseason and is the face of LA's franchise.
The New York Knicks' only path to trading for a superstar is parting ways with Karl-Anthony Towns. The self-proclaimed greatest shooting big man of all-time could be out the door in a blockbuster. Leon Rose should be exploring every avenue to make a deal because it is championship or bust. The Knicks have no plans of folding yet, and the massive deal could be coming if everything falls right.