Why the New York Knicks Should 'Move On' From Karl-Anthony Towns Trade

Karl-Anthony Towns is reportedly on the New York Knicks' radar but it may not be the perfect match some observers see.

The New York Knicks always seem to be pursuing a star, whether it's through trades or free agency. Their latest gossip appears to center around Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns and the fit ... or lack thereof ... was discussed in the latest from Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report.  

"The New York Post's Stefan Bondy report(s) they 'are monitoring' Joel Embiid, Donovan Mitchell and Karl-Anthony Towns," Buckley Report writes of the Knicks' latest trade interests. "While Towns' inclusion is not at all surprising—he is a former client of Knicks president Leon Rose—it's time for the Knicks to move on. They need a superstar to improve their championship hopes, and he just doesn't fit the criteria."

Towns has been with the Timberwolves since they drafted him with the top overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. In eight seasons, he has averaged 23.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists along with 1.3 blocks. 

Karl-Anthony Towns is a career 39.5 percent three-point shooter / USA Today Sports

Before the 2022-23 NBA season, the Timberwolves traded for Utah center Rudy Gobert. In addition to the haul of picks and players they gave up in the trade, they also handed Gobert a five-year, $205 million contract. After that contract, Minnesota paid Anthony Edwards and with Towns is currently in the market for a new deal himself, there isn't a lot of money left to go around. 

It's not a guarantee that Towns will be traded, as he could still sign an extension with the Timberwolves. If he does, Minnesota will soon have more than $500 million tied up in its top three players. 

The Knicks currently have three centers on the roster in Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sims, and Isaiah Hartenstein. There's certainly room to upgrade at the position, and Towns would be a big improvement. The biggest question is if the price of trading for Towns is worth what he would bring to the team. 

New York (0-1) faces Towns and the Timberwolves on Nov. 20. In the meantime, the Knicks begin an early three-game road trip on Friday night in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG)