Are the Knicks Looking for a Scapegoat? Karl-Anthony Towns on the Trade Block — Can He Still Be Used to Chase Giannis?

Are the New York Knicks seriously shopping Karl-Anthony Towns? According to Knicks beat reporter Steve Popper, the team has fallen into turmoil after losing nine of their last eleven games. With morale wavering, the Knicks have reportedly placed Towns on the trade block and initiated discussions with teams such as the Grizzlies, Magic, and Timberwolves. The question is clear: is Towns truly the problem, or simply a convenient scapegoat?

Before the season, the Eastern Conference landscape looked wide open. Injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton led many to believe the Celtics and Pacers would fade from the title race, pushing the Knicks and Cavaliers into the spotlight. Reality, however, has told a different story. The Pacers have collapsed to the bottom of the standings, but Boston has surged behind Jaylen Brown, now second in the East and a 2026 All-Star starter. The Pistons have unexpectedly risen to the top, while both the Knicks and Cavaliers have failed to meet expectations.

Cleveland currently sits seventh at 24–20, while the Knicks, under new head coach Mike Brown following Tom Thibodeau’s departure, are just 25–18. Early three-game losing streaks have snowballed into a disastrous 2–9 run over their last eleven games, with defensive efficiency plummeting to 18th in the league (116.8).

NBA legend Tracy McGrady recently criticized the Knicks on NBC, stating, “Their defensive identity is gone. Last season, they had a clear system. Now they’ve completely lost their way.” He specifically pointed to Towns and Jalen Brunson, noting Towns’ frequent defensive lapses and Brunson’s struggles containing penetration.

Despite boasting one of the league’s most talented forward rotations, New York’s defense has underperformed. Towns has never been a true rim protector, and while his offensive résumé is elite, his defense remains a concern. Brunson, too, is not known for his defensive prowess. Yet that alone doesn’t explain why the same roster thrived under Thibodeau but falters under Brown.

One response from the front office has been to shop Towns. While he bears some responsibility for the recent skid, placing all the blame on him seems unfair. The bigger question is where he could land.

Could Towns still be part of a blockbuster deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo? Despite Giannis’ public loyalty to Milwaukee, the Bucks have won just two of their last six games and currently sit 11th in the East at 18–24, risking a missed playoff berth. Still, both sides are waiting for the other to initiate trade talks. Complicating matters further, Milwaukee has previously rejected Towns in trade discussions. Unless Giannis explicitly demands a move to New York, such a deal appears unrealistic.

Other options exist. The Knicks are reportedly monitoring Jaren Jackson Jr., an elite rim protector and former Defensive Player of the Year, as Memphis considers roster changes alongside shopping Ja Morant. There’s also speculation about Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, whose three-point shooting has dipped to 26.9%. And then there’s Minnesota — Towns’ former team — raising the possibility of a reunion involving Rudy Gobert. Whether any of these paths materialize remains to be seen.