A three-team NBA trade proposal sending Karl-Anthony Towns from the New York Knicks to the Orlando Magic has been created.
NBA writer Dan Favale of Bleacher Report created the following trade proposal between the Knicks, Magic and Brooklyn Nets:
New York Knicks Receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Jalen Suggs
Orlando Magic Receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, Day’Ron Sharpe
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Jonathan Isaac, Jett Howard, 2026 first-round pick (from Washington Wizards; top-eight protection; turns into 2026 and 2027 seconds if not conveyed; via New York), 2028 second-round pick (least favorable of Indiana and Phoenix; via New York), 2030 second-round pick (more favorable of Orlando and New Orleans; via Orlando), 2031 first-round swap (via Orlando)
Knicks insider James L. Edwards III of The Athletic would not be stunned if New York trades Towns.
The Knicks have discussed a trade for Towns with three teams, according to Steve Popper of Newsday. The three teams are the Memphis Grizzlies, Magic and Charlotte Hornets.
“As for the Knicks … listen. I know James Dolan came out and publicly said that this is the roster and he doesn’t expect any big moves,” Edwards III said. “But as New York continues to free-fall, and I keep talking to people around the league, it would not stun me if Karl-Anthony Towns got traded. I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s something I’m monitoring. The return wouldn’t be grand. But it would be considered a ‘big’ move given all that has taken place in New York over the last 1.5 years.”
New York is 26-18 on the season. The 2026 NBA trade deadline is February 5 at 3 p.m. ET. Towns doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, preventing him from controlling his future. The Kentucky product is making $53.1 million this season.
This NBA trade proposal would give the Magic a talented core of Towns, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. Orlando is in seventh place in the East. The team could use another scorer, as they are only 19th in the league in points per game and offensive rating.
A five-time All-Star, Towns has appeared in 41 games this season. He’s averaging 20.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
It will be fascinating to see if the Knicks trade Towns, who was traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves to New York before the start of last season.
Towns and Knicks head coach Mike Brown don’t have the “best” relationship, sources told DallasHoopsJournal, so Towns’ future in New York is worth keeping an eye on.