The New York Knicks have not been involved in discussions about a potential Karl-Anthony Towns trade this offseason and plan to retain him through this challenging stretch, according to league and team sources. The decision comes despite Towns’ recent troubles and rival managers speculating about his future with the franchise.
From December 31 to January 19, Towns averaged just 17.9 points on 43.7 percent shooting and 33.3 percent from three. New York went 2-8 in the games he played in, with the big man on the wrong side of the plus-minus ledger in eight games.
His attempts dropped to 13.5 shots per game, well below his production from his stellar 2024-2025 season, when he averaged 24.4 points on 16.9 attempts while shooting 52.6 percent overall and 42 percent from deep with 12.8 rebounds. The decline was stark and noticeable.
Team president Leon Rose was Towns’ former agent at Creative Artists Agency and maintains deep personal ties that were instrumental in bringing him from the Minnesota Timberwolves to New York. Towns is owed $57 million next season and has a player option for the 2027-2028 season worth $61 million.
The franchise’s commitment to Towns is consistent with owner James Dolan’s recent public comments. When Dolan spoke to WFAN Sports Radio in early January in his first interview since January 2023, he set clear championship expectations for the organization.
“Look, I mean, we want to go to the finals, right?” Dolan said. “And we should win the final, right? …Anything can happen in sport, but reaching the final absolutely has to happen. Winning the final – we have to win.”
New York has lost nine of 12 games since the Jan. 5 interview before beating the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. Head coach Mike Brown’s continued struggles and brutally honest responses to Towns’ poor play have fueled speculation around the league.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade opportunity that emerged this offseason, showing the Milwaukee Bucks star’s genuine interest in playing at Madison Square Garden, couldn’t have helped Towns’ confidence in his job security. Nevertheless, the franchise continues to downplay the possibility of a move.
The Knicks knew there would be an adjustment period in the transition from fired coach Tom Thibodeau to Brown. Towns was expected to face more growing pains than other players due to his comfort level with the previous system.
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