Knicks Predicted To Suddenly Move On From Karl-Anthony Towns in Groundbreaking Trade for $101,355,988 All-NBA Forward

Coach Tom Thibodeau paid the price for the New York Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers, but he wasn’t solely to blame. Center Karl-Anthony Towns put up dominant offensive performances for most of the regular season and playoffs. However, his defense routinely failed to suffice, leading to some within the organization being upset with Towns throughout the year.

This is why the five-time All-Star hears his name come up in trade rumors despite arguably having his best campaign to date.

Knicks Predicted To Move On From Karl-Anthony Towns in Trade for LeBron James

Towns will never be a strong defender, but New York’s front office was well aware of that when it traded for him last summer. Just because a single playoff run puts that on display doesn’t mean the Knicks should already contemplate moving on from the 29-year-old.

The Athletic’s Fred Katz still predicts a trade could happen between the Lakers and Knicks that would swap Towns for Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.

“The most chaotic deal would be flipping All-NBA big man Karl-Anthony Towns for James, straight up–two teams betting on the other’s star,” Katz wrote. “Of course, this could leave the Knicks center-less, given Mitchell Robinson’s injury struggles.”

New York’s current roster is strategically built with talent across the board. A trade for James shows the front office prioritizing talent and revenue over fit and who gives them the best chance to win a title. Without Towns in the rotation, the Knicks would be stranded with an underwhelming center rotation of Robinson and Guerschon Yabusele.

It’s a much smarter route to pursue a defensive-minded big man at the 2026 trade deadline or earlier, as Towns’ defensive woes will likely continue.

Knicks players and coaches were reportedly frustrated with Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive habits, per @TheAthletic

“Publicly, Knicks players made veiled comments all season about poor communication causing their inconsistencies. Behind the scenes, they and coaches expressed… pic.twitter.com/S0Y3wM8OxG

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 1, 2025

“James could double as a basketball fit, as well as a giant expiring contract to avoid the second apron in 2026-27 and maybe beyond,” Katz continued. “In Los Angeles, Towns and Dončić could destroy any defense they face. But the Knicks are also made up of prime-aged contributors. This would make them older.”

While James’ versatility and athleticism would allow him to fit in essentially any system, the Knicks already have Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby holding down their forward room.

The Knicks shouldn’t be worried about their salary cap after coming off a year where they were just two games away from the NBA’s biggest stage. Sure, the All-NBA forward is entering the final season of his two-year, $101 million contract, but this shouldn’t intrigue New York to look into James.

Giving Towns at least a second year to act as the primary co-star for Jalen Brunson should be the team’s plan, regardless of the possible implications it may have down the line.