Karl-Anthony Towns is at the center of New York Knicks trade rumors lately.
As the Knicks have been known to be interested in a Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster, it’s clear that Towns could find himself packaged in a deal that would help the Knicks land the former MVP.
It’s hard for players to distract themselves from the hypothetical trade talks that we all see. And no matter what is being said behind the scenes, there are too many sides to every story. Towns might not know what to believe. According to Newsday’s Steve Popper, that’s creating an emotional toll on the veteran big man.
“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,” Popper reported this week. “Feelings are hurt. Egos are bruised. And maybe trust is gone.”
The Knicks’ vibes meter has been low since the start of 2026. For a stretch, they looked like one of the worst teams in basketball. While they have a four-game winning streak going heading into their Friday night matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, they still have a week’s worth of time until the trade deadline.
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The Knicks Are in a Tough Spot
Months ago, Giannis reportedly only preferred the Knicks. They were in a great spot since the Milwaukee Bucks are going to be willing to work with their most prominent star of the decade, sending him to where he wants to go.
Since it’s been revealed that Antetokounmpo no longer views his trade situation as Knicks-or-bust, New York isn’t the favorite to land him. In fact, several teams are probably ahead of them in the race for Giannis’s services.
Heading into the weekend, the Knicks’ chances of landing Giannis are slim. Therefore, holding onto Karl-Anthony Towns beyond the deadline is highly likely. If the reports are true, the Knicks have some serious damage control to do, as Towns will be key to their upcoming playoff run.
Can the Knicks Win it all Without Giannis?
The East is still wide open. Giannis is a phenomenal talent who would make the Knicks interesting. Does he automatically make them the favorite? Well, it would depend on how much the Knicks would have to give up beyond Towns.
The only thing stopping the Knicks from being better right now is their chemistry. When it’s all clicking, they are clearly a top team in the league. The NBA Cup title might not mean much at the end of the day, but they proved they could win in a tournament. The playoffs are another tournament with higher stakes. Fix feelings and get it together—the Knicks will be a threat in the East come spring. If all stays the same—it’ll be an interesting summer on the KAT front.
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