Karl-Anthony Towns is the latest name to be added to the trade market, as the New York Knicks were reported to be testing the value of the center. However, it seems the Trae Young deal might be the parameter on which teams are deciding his value. NBA analyst Fred Katz explained the situation around KAT’s value in the market.
Towns was brought to the Big Apple after the 2023-24 season to give Jalen Brunson a reliable pick-and-roll partner and a shooting option on the wing. He had a decent first season, and the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference finals. However, this season’s story has been different. He has averaged 21 points and 11.3 rebounds, thus far, down from last season’s 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds.
Meanwhile, some former and current players recently highlighted locker room issues, particularly with Towns. To add to that, the Knicks have won just two games in their last eleven matchup, currently on a four-game losing streak. This might have led to team management exploring options for KAT, who is currently looking for an extension deal from the Knicks management.
In the latest episode of Katz and Shoot, NBA analyst Fred Katz threw more light on Towns’ trade value and said:
“I’ve spoken to the people around the league and asked them where do you keep his (KAT’s) values at? And the most common response that I get is, ‘Look at the Trae Young deal,'”
Katz highlighted issues with Karl-Anthony Towns and added:
“He’s had locker room problems in New York with Mike Brown. His value is down, he is having the worst year… On top of that, I think Towns is better player than Trae Young… Reality with Towns is that Young has player option next year, whereas Towns is 523. million this year, 57 million next year, and then a $61 million player option for the 2027-28.”
Katz even admitted that a decent Towns trade was unlikely, looking at his value in the league. Moreover, the team would look for a good return, as they are known for asset management.
Meanwhile, the co-host and senior Knicks reporter Ian Begley believed that, looking at KAT’s offensive slump lately, the team would have to narrow its standards of choice.
Karl-Anthony Towns is missing wide-open 3s,” NBA analysts discuss the Knicks’ current situation
Ian Begley suggested that the Knicks’ management will have to adjust its demands, given Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract situation and his value in the market. He talked about the center’s dip in form and said:
“Can they hold to that standard and that thought process when you are a team who want to make the finals… And look, Towns is missing shots in close, and he is missing wide-open 3s at a rate where I just have to think based on how he’s played over the career that those numbers are gonna change and he’s gonna make those shots but then things look different.”
Karl-Anthony Towns will be owed a lot of money in the coming seasons, and his offensive woes with a squad like the Knicks and a facilitator like Jalen Brunson have not helped his case. His future with the Knicks remains uncertain, while the management looks for options before the February 5 deadline.
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