The New York Knicks’s front office is in a bold mood, and that could lead to massive roster changes this summer.
New York’s firing of Tom Thibodeau revealed that the team’s leadership isn’t afraid to adopt a cutthroat approach to winning a championship. While debates will persist about whether axing Thibs was a wise move, it’s clear that the Knicks’ brass is in an aggressive state of mind as it looks to deliver the franchise’s first ring since 1973.
The enormous question on every Knicks fan’s mind is, does Karl-Anthony Towns factor into New York’s 2025-26 plans?
KAT’s defense is a problem, and it reportedly irked Knicks players and coaches throughout the season.
With Jalen Brunson locked in as New York’s franchise centerpiece, the Knicks could look to swap out KAT this summer for a star better suited to excelling alongside Brunson. That’s why Phoenix Suns megastar Kevin Durant has emerged as a target for the Knickerbockers.
New York can’t present the best offer (league-wide) for KD, though, so a deal is far from guaranteed.
As an alternative plan, the Knicks could trade Towns and his cumbersome contract for a non-superstar package featuring a couple of starter-level players as well as first-round draft capital.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey followed that blueprint for the Knicks when he proposed an interesting trade this week involving the Portland Trail Blazers:
“Deandre Ayton, Matisse Thybulle, the No. 11 pick and a 2032 first-round pick swap for Karl-Anthony Towns,” Bailey wrote.
“Another KAT deal that would give the Knicks a lot more short-term flexibility.”
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“Like KD, Deandre Ayton is on an expiring contract,” Bailey continued.”
“And though his career has been a little underwhelming for a former No. 1 pick, he’s averaged a double-double in every season he’s been in the league, is a more mobile defender than Towns and would still be a decent finisher for Brunson.”
“Getting another rangy wing defender in Matisse Thybulle to join Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, a lottery pick this summer and a future pick swap would be a nice bonus.”
“Selling this from the Portland Trail Blazers’ perspective has everything to do with the team appearing ahead of schedule toward the end of 2024-25. Anfernee Simons, Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija look ready to push for a playoff spot now, and Towns would help them do that. His outside shooting would widen slashing lanes for all of the above.”
“And Portland has a defensive culture strong enough to cover for some of Towns’ weaknesses there.”
This is actually an intriguing trade idea for both squads.
Thybulle is an underrated player. By adding him to the Bridges-Anunoby-Josh Hart corps of wings, the Knicks would strengthen an already-elite stable of long wing defenders to roll out in a playoff series. Thybulle’s arrival might also allow New York to toy with the idea of trading Hart for more urgent needs (another big, perhaps? An upgrade at backup point guard over Deuce McBride?).
New York would be able to snag a very good player with the No. 11 pick, too, or they could package Hart, the No. 11, and other assets to move up even further in the draft.
As far as KAT trade ideas go, this one from Bailey isn’t a fail.
More NBA: Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau; Ex-Nuggets coach emerges as likely replacement
