NBA Rumors: Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns Had 'Tepid' Trade Market Due to $224M Contract

Zach BacharContributor ISeptember 28, 2024

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 28: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center on May 28, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

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The trade market for four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns was "tepid" before his reported move to the New York Knicks on Friday night, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

Towns' availability and contract were the reasons why, as he's appeared in just 91 total games over the past two seasons. He's also set to carry a cap hit of $49.2 million for the 2024-25 season and has a $61 million player option for his 2027-28 campaign.

"If KAT were to get injured again or the Timberwolves took a step back competitively, it might have been difficult to move him," Krawczynski wrote.

The 28-year-old was dealt by the Minnesota Timberwolves for a package that included Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a future protected first-round draft pick via the Detroit Pistons, per Krawczynski and Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Towns is set to begin the first season of a four-year, $224 million contract extension that he signed with Minnesota in July 2022.

While the former Rookie of the Year has remained effective when healthy, it's easy to see why opposing teams were wary about acquiring his salary. Towns' 2024-25 cap hit alone is roughly $13 million higher than the cap hit of OG Anunoby, New York's second-highest-paid player on the roster (via Spotrac).

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Still, his hefty salary and injury concerns were a risk that Knicks team president Leon Rose was willing to take. New York is entering the season with championship aspirations following a breakout 2023-24 year from Jalen Brunson as well as the inclusion of trade addition Mikal Bridges.

Towns should fit seamlessly next to Brunson and Bridges in the starting lineup, spacing the floor while possessing the ability to generate his own offense. In 62 starts last season, he averaged 21.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game on 50.4/41.6/87.3 shooting splits.

With a reportedly lukewarm trade market, the Timberwolves decided to pull the trigger on a Towns deal just before the start of training camp.