Potential Phoenix Suns Trade Target Karl-Anthony Towns Expected to Stay in Minnesota

The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski recently said on a podcast he fully expects KAT to sign a max offer with Minnesota.

While the future of Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton is sorted out, so too are the potential scenarios of a sign-and-trade and what players the Suns would potentially receive back for their former top pick.

Names such as Clint Capela, Jusuf Nurkic, Domantas Sabonis and Jerami Grant are just a few players included in mock trades back to Phoenix.

There's been one player particularly brought in a few trades for Ayton: Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns. 

Towns was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and has blossomed into quite the efficient player. This season saw Towns average 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. 

He recently won the NBA's Three-Point Contest at All-Star Game weekend, has appeared in the game itself three times and has two All-NBA Third Team appearances. 

Speculation has surrounded his own future with the Timberwolves, yet The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski appeared on the HoopsHype podcast and said KAT isn't expected to go anywhere. 

"I’ve been around him for seven years and around this team for a lot longer than that. One thing you do know is that when you have very high-level players in Minnesota, you’ve got to do whatever you can to keep them. I fully expect that Karl-Anthony Towns will get a max offer from the Timberwolves and that he’ll sign that max offer," said Krawczynski.

"He likes it here. He likes Minnesota. He wants to be here. He likes Chris Finch a lot. He likes his teammates. He loves playing with Anthony Edwards. He’s been friends with D’Angelo Russell for a long time. This is a situation where the Timberwolves have a player under their control and one who is a very good player and wants to be here. In that case, I think you make that offer. You get him signed for the long term, and then you evaluate as it goes on."

While Towns to the Suns was already somewhat of a stretch, Krawczynski's comments give a great feeling that KAT isn't going anywhere. 

Thank you for making Inside The Suns your destination for Phoenix Suns news. Please be sure to give us a like on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @InsideTheSunsSI for more news, updates, analysis and more!

PHOENIX SUNS TOP STORIES

Phoenix Suns F Mikal Bridges Gives Props to Luka Doncic

Mikal Bridges Speaks on Game 7 Loss, Collapse to Mavericks in Playoffs

The Biggest Question Surrounding Deandre Ayton

Do the Suns Need Another Bench Scoring Option?

Detroit Pistons Won't Break the Bank for Deandre Ayton

Suns F Mikal Bridges Breaks Down NBA Finals on JJ Redick's Podcast

Inside The Suns Staff NBA Finals Predictions

Is Dennis Schroder a fit for Phoenix Suns?

Kevin Durant Favored to Land in Phoenix by Oddsmakers

Two Suns Players Listed as Potential Trade Targets for Other Teams

Bleacher Report Makes Bold Prediction on Deandre Ayton's Future

JaVale McGee Speaks on Future, Says He'd Love to Return to Phoenix

Detroit Pistons Given 50% Chance to Land Deandre Ayton

Gambo: Third Team Likely Needed for Deandre Ayton Deal

JaVale McGee Hosting Charity Softball Game; Booker, Paul Among Attendees