Knicks have reportedly discussed Karl-Anthony Towns trade with three teams

The New York Knicks’ 2-9 stretch has some questioning whether the team might make a big move in order to shake things up before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

Newsday columnist Steve Popper cited league sources Monday saying the Knicks had discussed a Karl-Anthony Towns trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets, among others. Towns’ name also came up when discussing potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trades with the Milwaukee Bucks.

A Knicks source told Popper that the team is not actively shopping Towns, nor have they brought him up with other teams. That does not necessarily mean others have not asked about him, though.

Towns and the Knicks appear to be dealing with some mutual frustration this season. The five-time All-Star is averaging 21 points and 11.6 rebounds per game this season, both down from where they were last year. The alleged behind-the-scenes issues go back to late last season, when he was reportedly a source of frustration among his teammates as the Knicks were bounced from the playoffs.

The Knicks are a mess right now, with one core player outright questioning the team’s effort following an ugly loss on Monday. Towns is an obvious scapegoat, and a trade still seems unlikely, but the fact that it is coming up at all suggests some real tension.