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Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks could still go big-game hunting

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 1/2/24

The New York Knicks acquired OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. They sent out RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round draft pick as part of the deal. Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn have also joined the Knicks as part of the trade.

Despite sending out two highly valuable young players, New York still has enough assets to swing a trade for a star-level talent. Over the past two years, Donovan Mitchell has been the name linked with a potential move to New York. Longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein recently noted how the front office isn't planning an "all-out" pursuit of the talented ball-handler in the immediate future.

Another player who has often been linked with a potential move to the Knicks is All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. According to Shams Charania, who was speaking on a recent episode of FanDuel TV's "Run it Back," the Knicks "will always have interest" in the talented center.

"I expect them to prioritize playmaking," Charania said. "They're always going to have interest in Karl-Anthony Towns, but nothing has materialized as of yet. They have the pieces. They have the contracts, they have the young players."

"[Knicks] always going to have interest in Karl Anthony-Towns but nothing has materialized as of yet"

- @ShamsCharania

[via @RunItBackFDTV ] pic.twitter.com/sCXTqy33Oq
— BASKETBALL ON (@BasketballOnX) January 2, 2024

Towns would be the ideal addition for the Knicks. His floor spacing would open up driving lanes while pulling opposing bigs out of the paint. That would give Jalen Brunson additional room to operate in the lanes or curling off screens. Towns is also a high-level defender who can protect the rim as part of a drop-coverage system.

It's highly unlikely the Minnesota Timberwolves would be willing to trade one of their star players, especially midway through the season. Towns have been a significant part of Minnesota's success over the opening months. He's averaging 21.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists, shooting 50.9% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range. Minnesota sits atop the Western Conference with a 24-8 record.

The Timberwolves are constructed with two legitimate big men in their starting five. Towns has spent 94% of his minutes as a power forward this season. Therefore, it makes sense that any deal to acquire the All-Star big man would likely involve Julius Randle going in the opposite direction. Randle would become a secondary option behind Anthony Edwards while also providing balance to Chris Finch's team. Towns would then assume the starting big-man role for the Knicks.

A trade of this magnitude is highly unlikely to occur during the season, if at all. Still, the Knicks want a star talent, and Towns could be the ideal fit. Whether a deal ever comes to fruition, only time will tell.

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