On Monday, the New York Knicks hit a low-point as they went into their locker rooms down 28 points to the Dallas Mavericks at halftime.
Mavericks stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis weren’t even there to help. Neither was the Knicks’ effort.Eventually falling to Dallas, 97-114, they’re now on a four-game losing streak. Following their embarrassing defeat, Knicks utility player Josh Hart told reporters that New York is “desperate.”
Knicks Discussing Karl-Anthony Towns Trade With Multiple Teams
Now that they’re hitting the panic button, could that lead to Karl-Anthony Towns being moved?
“Whispers around the league have begun to speculate on the possibility of the Knicks moving Towns,” reports Newsday columnist Steve Popper. “His name surfaced when the Bucks and Knicks discussed the chance of a deal involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, but now league sources said that talks have involved other teams including Memphis, Orlando and Charlotte.”
If the Knicks were truly discussing a Towns trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets, their focus would seemingly be on one of their star players.
Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant‘s future in Memphis is undoubtedly in question. Nevertheless, Jalen Brunson is already cemented as New York’s franchise point guard. Thus, the Knicks have far more of a need for big man Jaren Jackson Jr., a two-time block champion with a career scoring average of 18.5 points per game. The problem is that to Jackson, they’d have to convince the Grizzlies that trading him for an older player who’s less effective on defense is a smart move. The only way they could do that is by convincing Memphis that Towns being twice the rebounder and a more pronounced scorer makes up the difference.
Orlando Magic
Because of the unspoken tug-of-war between Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, one of them could be traded sooner rather than later. Both are under-25 and have shown themselves capable of being the No. 1 option for a playoff-bound team. However, there are subtle differences between them. 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds, Banchero is more of a physical and natural scorer than Wagner. Yet, the 6-foot-10 and 220-pound Wagner is more fluid at both ends of the court. For the Knicks, the latter could be the more sensible choice simply because he’s more reliable defensively.
Charlotte Hornets
Similar to Morant, Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball may not be with his current franchise much longer. Unlike Morant, Ball has enough length (6-foot-7 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan) to conceivably play on the wing. To that point, as a point-forward, he may be able to get his touches without stepping on Brunson’s toes. Even so, that’s far too theoretical for New York at this juncture. So, instead of Ball, it’s likely Miles Bridges who would be involved. A hybrid forward who’s a much more lithe athlete than Towns, he alters the on-court geometry both horizontally and vertically.
Knicks ‘Not Looking To Do’ A Towns Deal?
While acknowledging there’s “friction” between Towns and Knicks head coach Mike Brown, NBA on NBC insider Chris Mannix says New York is “not looking to do a deal involving” the big man. That is, unless Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available, the plot twist that the whole league is waiting for:
“The Knicks are not looking to do a deal involving Karl-Anthony Towns. They’re not looking to do a deal involving Mikal Bridges. They are, frankly, not looking to do deals involving any of their core guys. And that includes, from what I’m told, Mitchell Robinson… My sense is that the Knicks are going to try to ride this out with this group for the rest of the season and hope that their chemistry and continuity—and the fact that they were a conference finalist last year—helps power them in the postseason.”
Despite that, the areas that Mannix is looking to improve –the “ball-handling and perimeter shooting” of their second unit–would likely be addressed in trades with the Grizzlies, Magic and Hornets.
Cam Spencer, Scotty Pippen Jr., or Vince Williams Jr.?
During Morant’s absences this season, the Grizzlies have given multiple guards an opportunity to run the point. None has stood out quite as much as Cam Spencer. The 25-year-old is only in his second season. Inexperience aside though, he’d be an intriguing addition to the Knicks rotation. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he’s a deft facilitator shooting 46.0% from 3. However, Memphis also has Scotty Pippen Jr. on the backburner while Vince Williams Jr. has shown off his passing chops as well.
Jalen Suggs or Anthony Black?
Not only do the Magic have multiple starter-level point guards, they have a position battle. Up until this season, Jalen Suggs seemed like he’d be given the mantle of the team’s franchise point guard. He was even rewarded with a five-year, $150.5 million contract extension in Oct. 2024. Yet, Orlando’s most impressive point guard in 2025-26 has been Anthony Black, whom they drafted sixth overall in 2023. At this point, this is more of a luxury for the Magic than anything. With that being said, New York would probably like to have either Suggs or Black.
Collin Sexton?
Outside of Ball, the Hornets only have one ball-handler who can help them with their perimeter shooting and that’s Collin Sexton. Though more of a hybrid or combo guard than a pure point, he’s a career 38.6% 3-point shooter. With a career scoring average of 18.5 points per game, he could even become the team’s sixth-man. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to have him as a spot-starter when Brunson, another small but scoring-minded, is out with injury. The icing on the cake is his expiring contract. If the experiment doesn’t work out, they aren’t going to be bound to him. If it does, they have his Bird Rights.
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