A new report makes it seem like the New York Knicks trading Karl-Anthony Towns is not a question of if, but when.
After coming up short in the Eastern Conference Finals last spring, the NY Knicks made the very bold decision to move on from head coach Tom Thibodeau despite being one of the most successful in franchise history. To replace him, they brought in three-time former head coach Mike Brown.
Despite some early bumps in the road, it looked like the decision was the right one. The team was one of the best in the NBA to end 2025 and won the Emirates NBA Cup. Yet, since the calendar turned to 2026, this group has fallen apart, posting a 2-8 record in January before a recent four-game win streak.
In trying to figure out what the problem is, Brown and Towns have been the main focus of the blame. Brown reportedly has not gotten his players to fully buy into his system, and the star big man has been a poor fit in it. With the NY Knicks unlikely to move on from the coach so soon, there has been a lot of speculation about Towns being shipped out of town instead.
NY Knicks and Towns’ relationship broken?
A recent report suggested that the trade chatter linking the five-time All-Star to a potential deal for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t sat well with him. On Friday, Newsday’s Steve Popper offered a major update on Town’s current mental state and why an exit from New York seems like a lock.
“If you saw Towns after Wednesday night’s game — or really, if you’ve seen him at all this season — you know that hearing his name in trade talks has come at a cost. Feelings are hurt. Egos are bruised. And maybe trust is gone,” Popper wrote.
Could the two sides come back from this divide? Absolutely. But it just feels unlikely. Towns has had a down offensive season in his first year with his new coach. That, along with his defensive deficiencies have made him a negative for New York when he is on the court.
Unless Brown adjusts his system to better suit the 30-year-old, a trade pretty much needs to happen for the best interests of the rest of the team.
