New York Knicks fans have been haunted by Karl-Anthony Towns trade rumors for a couple of years. CAA represents the 28-year-old, which is more than enough for him to be linked to the Knicks.
Last season, Towns was sidelined with a calf injury from late November to late March. He played in only 29 regular season games, averaging 20.8 points (the lowest since his rookie year) and a career-low 8.1 rebounds. Towns and the Timberwolves gave the Nuggets a run for their money in the first round, but as expected, they were a first-round exit for the second straight year.
There was a lot of chatter during the offseason about a Towns trade. Minnesota signed Anthony Edwards to a max extension, making the 22-year-old the face of the franchise. The Towns-Rudy Gobert pairing didn't yield great results in year one, so why bother moving forward with that duo in year two?
The Timberwolves did just that, and through the first month of the season, the team has the best record in the West (9-3). Towns got off to a slow start but averaged 24 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in the past eight games. He and the other players on the roster have bought into what Minnesota is building.
So, what about the KAT-Knicks trade rumors? New York is reportedly monitoring his situation, but according to Action Network's Matt Moore, a source close to the organization claims that the belief that Towns is available in a trade is "overblown."
Timberwolves reportedly not interested in trading Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota is currently one of the hottest teams in the league, so why would the front be thinking about trading Karl-Anthony Towns?
Towns is no longer the go-to Timberwolves guy, but that doesn't bother him. As Chris Finch said, he's doing all of the little things (subscription required).
"His offensive talents have always been unmistakable, but Towns has routinely been credited lately by Finch for doing the little things. Attacking the glass. Defending, as best he can, out on the perimeter. Setting screens. Playing, in essence, ego-less basketball."Sam Amick, The Athletic
There are still five months of regular season basketball left to be played, and a lot can change in that time. Depending on how Minnesota fares, the front office could decide to make KAT available in trade talks. If that happens, the New York rumors will heat up, but that doesn't mean the Knicks should push their chips onto the table for Towns.
Minnesota's next challenge will come against New York on Monday night. The Timberwolves have propelled themselves to the top of the standings, but the Knicks have won five of their last six. It wouldn't be a surprise if New York rolled into Target Center and pulled out a win.
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