The New York Knicks won the NBA Cup in December and were 23-9 entering their final game of the month. They have now dropped nine of their past 11 games and could be battling for a play-in spot in the months ahead.
Knicks Shopping Karl-Anthony Towns?
With the NBA trade deadline nearly two weeks away, Steve Popper of Newsday reported Monday that “whispers” have begun to mount in league circles about the Knicks potentially trading Karl-Anthony Towns.
League sources told Popper the Knicks have already discussed Towns trade packages with multiple teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets.
Fans are also putting pressure on Knicks ownership with their persistent booing.
The Knicks have held trade discussions involving Karl-Anthony Towns with multiple teams, including Memphis, Orlando, and Charlotte, per @StevePopper pic.twitter.com/PmcDg0aZAK
— Hoops Alerts (@TheHoopsAlerts) January 20, 2026
Towns, who New York acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade in October 2024, has struggled to establish consistency under head coach Mike Brown.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported in December that Towns and Brown were “in a good place” after “early friction” in the coach’s first season with the team.
“Early on, there was some friction,” Windhorst said during The Hoop Collective podcast. “He is asked to do a little bit more gruntwork, he’s still having an excellent season. … He and Mike Brown are in a good place right now, from what I’m told.”
Things may have changed since then.
Towns Has Struggled Under Mike Brown
Brown reportedly called out Towns for his lack of leadership after last week’s loss to the Kings.
Windhorst’s report came after Towns told reporters in October that he was still “figuring it out” and unsure what his role would be in Brown’s offense.
“We’re figuring it out. That’s it, but, honestly, I don’t know. Yeah, it’s gonna take time, new system, all of us trying to be the best we can in the new system,” Towns said then about adjusting to Brown’s style. “Just doing our best to make the system work for us. And that’s really all we’re focused on every day.”
However, nothing has come together yet for Towns and the Knicks.
Last season, Towns received his fifth All-Star selection and third All-NBA Third-Team nod of his NBA career. The 7-footer averaged 24.4 points, a career-high 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 35 minutes in 72 games.
In addition, Towns recorded 44 points and 13 rebounds in a 116-107 win over the Miami Heat on Oct. 29, 2024. His 44 points were the most in a game by a Knicks center since Patrick Ewing in 1995.
Towns became the first Knicks player in franchise history to post at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 65% shooting in a game since Carmelo Anthony in 2014.
He also helped lead New York to its first conference finals appearance since 2000.
Through 40 appearances this season, Towns is averaging 21 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 32.3 minutes per game while shooting a career-worst 46.7% from the field and 35.8% from outside the arc.
