The New York Knicks are coming off a tough loss in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Indiana Pacers, the eventual NBA runners-up, and have already begun making big moves early in the offseason.
Shortly after their elimination, the Knicks parted ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau. While the search for his replacement continues, the 2025 NBA Draft is just days away, and roster adjustments could be on the horizon.
New York’s current core—Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart—is undeniably talented, and most expect the team to keep that group intact following its first Conference Finals appearance in 25 years.
Still, there’s a chance the Knicks could consider bold changes, and one potential move could involve the Sacramento Kings showing interest in Karl-Anthony Towns.
A hypothetical three-team trade proposed by Rohan Raman (via Sports Illustrated) envisions Towns heading to Sacramento, with Domantas Sabonis going to New York, and Josh Hart landing in Atlanta.
Proposed Deal:
- Knicks receive: Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Kobe Bufkin, Vit Krejci, 2030 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Atlanta)
- Kings receive: Karl-Anthony Towns, 2026 first-round pick (unprotected via New York), 2030 first-round pick (unprotected via New York)
- Hawks receive: Josh Hart
On paper, it’s an intriguing concept. Towns, a five-time All-Star, just wrapped up a stellar first season with New York, posting 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game with elite efficiency (52.6/42.0/82.9 shooting splits) and maintaining his status as one of the game’s best shooting big men.
For Sacramento, swapping out Sabonis and Murray for Towns and two unprotected picks could be viewed as a major win, especially if they’re seeking a change at center.
But from New York’s perspective, the trade is questionable. They’d be giving up Towns, Hart, and two first-round picks for Sabonis, Murray, and a package of young players and a protected pick. While Sabonis is a strong interior presence—averaging 19.1 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 6.0 assists on 59.0/41.7/75.4 shooting—his limited range might hurt the Knicks’ spacing. Keegan Murray could offer valuable two-way support off the bench, but moving Hart for him may not be an upgrade.
Ultimately, the trade is highly speculative and might be rejected by all three teams. However, the idea of a Sabonis-for-Towns swap, in some form, could be worth exploring further.
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