- Karl-Anthony Towns was a player who flew under the radar in free agency but could be a big storyline at the 2024 February trade deadline
- The Minnesota Timberwolves could get a big return for Towns and build around Anthony Edwards
- The New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Memphis Grizzlies could use Towns
The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Karl-Anthony Towns with the first overall pick in the 2015 draft out of Kentucky. Towns has made three All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams. He’s one of the best players in the NBA.
- The Memphis Grizzlies Make A Desperate Trade For Karl-Anthony Towns
- The Brooklyn Nets Get Mikal Bridges Help By Trading For Karl-Anthony Towns
- The Atlanta Hawks Acquire Karl-Anthony Towns To Form A Lethal Big 3
- The New York Knicks Bring Karl-Anthony Towns To The Big Apple
- The Golden State Warriors Make A Surprising Trade For Karl-Anthony Towns
However, the Timberwolves haven’t won a playoff series in the Towns era. The big man didn’t have a good relationship with Jimmy Butler — which is why Butler requested a trade from the Timberwolves in 2018-19 — and now he doesn’t appear to be the right fit next to Anthony Edwards, who is the clear face of the franchise in Minnesota.
Tim MacMahon and Jamal Collier of ESPN believe Towns is a player who flew under the radar in free agency this past offseason but could be a big storyline at the 2024 February trade deadline since the Timberwolves appear to be building around Edwards, who signed a five-year maximum contract extension that could be worth up to $260 million.
With that said, here are five blockbuster trade ideas for Towns, who signed a four-year, $224.2 million extension with the Timberwolves in July 2022.
The Memphis Grizzlies Make A Desperate Trade For Karl-Anthony Towns
Trade Details
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, Ziaire Williams, 2024 first-round pick, 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick
The Memphis Grizzlies have started the season 1-6. They desperately need to make a trade to avoid falling way back in the standings before superstar point guard Ja Morant makes his return from his 25-game suspension.
The Grizzlies lost Steven Adams for the year. They can’t rebound the ball at all right now. Trading for Karl-Anthony Towns would help Memphis become more dangerous on both sides of the ball. After all, KAT has career averages of 23.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks.
Once Morant comes back from his suspension, the Grizzlies can start Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Towns. That’s a starting five that could do some serious damage in the rugged Western Conference.
The Brooklyn Nets Get Mikal Bridges Help By Trading For Karl-Anthony Towns
Trade Details
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton, 2025 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2027 first-round pick
If the Brooklyn Nets want to maximize Mikal Bridges’ prime, they need to surround the small forward with a bonafide All-Star. Karl-Anthony Towns fits that bill.
The Nets could start Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Bridges, Dorian Finney-Smith and Towns. That starting five could compete with any starting five in the NBA. Every player except Simmons can score from all areas of the floor. Simmons may not have a jump shot yet, but he’s still an excellent passer, rebounder, and defender.
As we mentioned earlier, Towns was born and raised in New Jersey. Playing for the Nets would be a nice homecoming for KAT, who would escape the shadow of Anthony Edwards and become the No. 1 option on offense in Brooklyn.
The Atlanta Hawks Acquire Karl-Anthony Towns To Form A Lethal Big 3
Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter, 2024 first-round pick, 2024 second-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 first-round pick
The Atlanta Hawks need a third star next to Trae Young and Dejounte Murray if they want to seriously compete for a championship. Karl-Anthony Towns is the perfect pick-and-roll/pop center for Young and Murray.
Clint Capela can’t shoot. He’s clogging up the paint for the Hawks. Atlanta needs to trade for Towns so the team can have a versatile and talented starting lineup of Young, Murray, Jalen Johnson, Saddiq Bey, and Towns. That’s five players who can shoot, drive, and finish at the rim.
Young is one of the best passers in the NBA. Towns has never played with a point guard like Young, who has elite vision and can see plays develop before they happen. If the Hawks want to be in the same class as the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, they need to trade for Towns, who doesn’t have many flaws on the offensive end.
The New York Knicks Bring Karl-Anthony Towns To The Big Apple
Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Julius Randle, Isaiah Hartenstein, protected first-round pick
The New York Knicks are “monitoring” Karl-Anthony Towns’ situation with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. Multiple sources told Bondy that Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau would welcome coaching Towns again. Thibodeau coached Towns on the Timberwolves.
Knicks president Leon Rose used to be Towns’ agent when he was at CAA. New York could start Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Towns, and Mitchell Robinson if New York’s front office figured out a way to acquire Towns from Minnesota.
Towns is a career 39.2% shooter from beyond the arc. His ability to shoot from deep creates more driving lanes for his teammates. Brunson and Barrett, two of the best drivers in the NBA, would likely love playing with Towns.
KAT was born and raised in Edison, New Jersey. Going back near home would be the perfect fresh start for Towns, who only played in 29 games last season due to a calf injury.
The Golden State Warriors Make A Surprising Trade For Karl-Anthony Towns
Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Chris Paul, Jonathan Kuminga, 2025 first-round pick, 2025 second-round pick, 2026 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick
The Golden State Warriors acquired Chris Paul from the Washington Wizards this past offseason in the Jordan Poole trade. Paul has played for the Warriors to begin this season, but if Golden State truly wants to win another championship, the front office needs to pair Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green with a star in his prime.
The Warriors could start Curry, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Karl-Anthony Towns if Golden State’s front office figured out a way to acquire Towns from Minnesota. Wiggins and Towns were teammates on the Minnesota Timberwolves, so they already know how to play with each other.
Towns is a three-level scorer. He’s also a walking double-double. The Warriors have never had a talent like Towns at the big man position during the Curry-Thompson-Green era. Golden’s State would have more floor balance with Towns since he can shoot 3s and dominate in the paint.
