The 2025-26 NBA trade deadline is right around the corner, and there’s no guarantee the Los Angeles Lakers will be among the franchises that complete a late trade for an impactful asset.
That said, the Ringer’s Bill Simmons believes there’s a world where the Lakers complete a blockbuster deal sending a historic 6-foot-9 forward to the New York Knicks for a former No. 1 overall pick.
“I say this tentatively, I’m not happy about it,” Simmons said last Wednesday. “LeBron (James) for (Karl-Anthony) Towns is sitting there. It’s just so classic, just stupid internet trade somebody would make up. And yet I’m looking at it going, ehh not a bad trade to solve two things right.”
“If you’re the (New York) Knicks just trying to get out of the Towns contract before it gets crazy. If you’re the Lakers this is a pretty interesting guy to put with Luka (Doncic). I’m not going to war with Luka, Towns, and (Austin) Reaves together. I don’t have to worry about getting nothing from LeBron a year from now.”
“And if I’m the Knicks it’s like well this will be weird with Brunson and LeBron and you know all of a sudden I don’t have a center. I’ll have to rely on Mitchell Robinson. There’s all these other variables that are opening up. It’s just fundamentally a pretty interesting basketball trade.”
Considering Deandre Ayton has been a massive disappointment in Los Angeles effort-wise, acquiring Towns would be a solid solution to their troubling frontcourt issue.
While Towns isn’t a stout low-post or perimeter defender and is having a down year by his standards, his offensive versatility (one of the best stretch big men the NBA has to offer) and consistent motor help him regularly alter games.
The 30-year-old is averaging 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.
Considering the Lakers don’t seem opposed to trading James if the right opportunity presents itself, Simmons’ trade idea is one worth considering.
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