Hornets perfect Karl-Anthony Towns trade offer as Knicks pounce

Is it time to sound the panic alarm in New York? Maybe. The New York Knicks they seemed to figure things out in December, when the Knicks hit their stride — culminating in an NBA Cup triumph. But since then, The Knicks were in freefall. They left 8-11 only since lifting the NBA Cup trophy in Las Vegas, and only recently lost against a Brooklyn Nets team that should be winning well anyway.

There has been some buzz about potentially trading hits for the Knicks, with Karl-Anthony Towns gives in. Towns hasn’t been as good this year as he was last year, and that’s partly because of his reduced involvement in head coach Mike Brown’s offense.

In recent games, the Knicks haven’t been very happy with Towns’ effort (fans won’t soon forget how he just laid on the ground for what seemed like a good minute in their recent loss to the Sacramento Kings), and he hasn’t helped combat the team’s tendency to outplay and outplay.

Now, while the Knicks are reportedly shopping Towns, that’s no guarantee he’ll be playing for a new team when the dust settles around the Feb. 5 trade deadline. But it’s simply due diligence for them to try to get a feel for what they can get for a star player with clear defensive deficiencies, especially when is going to make $57.1 million next year with a player option worth $61 million next year.

The Charlotte Hornets are reportedly interested in Towns, and here’s what it would take to get him from the Knicks in an emergency trade.

The Knicks get backups and role players from the Hornets for Karl-Anthony Towns

Knicks acquire: Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, Tijan Salaun, Ryan Kalkbrenner, 2027 first round pick (from MIA)

Hornets acquire: Karl-Anthony Towns, Pacome Dadiet

Why are the Knicks making this trade

The Nix has to know that’s the reality in the NBA these days is that All-Star-level players with contract situations like Towns’ don’t command the trade market like they once did. Towns, thanks to his supermax arrangement with the Minnesota Timberwolves from long ago, will make 35 percent of the captaincy in the next two seasons.

And since Towns isn’t the level of player to be the best player on a championship team (only a handful of players are in the NBA, anyway), teams have been hesitant to commit such a huge chunk of the salary cap to someone like him.

The trade market has also been very vocal lately; Trae Young outscored Atlanta Hawks C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert, and is a four-time All-Star in his own right. Young was also the face of the franchise. That the Hawks only got those two backups means the market is very cold for one-way players.

Towns is not a one-way player in the same way that Young is. But he’s never been the best rim protector for a center, and it’s no coincidence that the team has been most successful with him when paired with a fearsome presence in the paint.

There’s merit to the Knicks trying to open up some sort of cap space over the next few seasons to try to surround their Jalen Brunson-led core with more players who fit instead of committing a significant portion of their payroll to one player.

Here’s where a potential Hornets offer makes sense. Bridges is only making $25 million this year and about $22 million next year, and his contract is so easy to sell that it gives them flexibility. In the meantime, he can slot into the top four for the Knicks, with Mitchell Robinson regains his starting spot.

New York has also been in the market for a guard, according to reports, and someone like Colin Sexton could make sense. Sexton provides some scoring punch and rhythm off the bench, and he’s another player who will never be afraid of a moment. He also provides more insurance for Brunson, who tends to catch some shots here and there.

Salaun and Kalkbrenner are on rookie contracts and have been productive for the Hornets this season. Getting those young contributors on the cheap helps the Knicks build something more sustainable in this restrictive CBA landscape. Salaun understood things and he is a versatile striker who has considerable offensive potential. Kalkbrenner hits like he’s been in the league for over a decade.

The Miami Heat’s 2027 first-round pick is lottery protected, but with the Hornets already giving away two solid young prospects as well as two solid supporting players, that should be more than enough of a price for someone making as much money as Towns.

Why the Hornets are making this trade

It may not seem like it, but the Hornets have been very good this season when healthy. Whenever Charlotte has the duo of LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel, they’ve won more often than they’ve lost (they have 12-10 record with that duo). Charlotte is also getting solid play from Brandon Miller, and they have such a great core from the one through three positions that a big addition in the frontcourt could take this team to the next level.

Playoff contention is within reach for the Hornets, and someone like Towns would help legitimize this team even more. Towns should enter as the team’s power forward, with Moussa Diabate to partner him in the frontcourt, and in a small-ball outfit, Grant Williams could pair with him in a five-out formation.

The Hornets, despite going 16-28, have close to a positive net rating. Towns would give Charlotte a better safety for their offense that is currently ranked in the top 10 in the NBA, as his inside-out game could be just what the team needs to diversify its perimeter-oriented offense led by Ball, Knuepel and Miller.

With the Hornets fielding incredible perimeter shooters, having someone who can step out and make threes as well as play physical paintball is perfect – making Towns a prime trade target.

Losing Bridges will be a long time coming. Sexton will inevitably be moved as he is in the final year of his contract anyway. What would sting is losing Salaun, a 2024 lottery pick, and Kalkbrenner, the 34th overall pick in 2025.

Salaun improved greatly under head coach Charles Lee in his second season. He’s become more of a team player and embraces the dirty work — his recent double-double is an indication of that. And he is only 20 years old. But Towns is a perennial double-double and All-NBA threat, and as much as Salaun has improved, it would be a miracle if he even gets a sniff at Towns’ level of player.

Kalkbrenner is an excellent shot blocker, and is automatic when he gets the ball near the rim. His inclusion could end up being the linchpin of this potential trade – that’s how much the Hornets franchise loves him.

But it takes talent to get talent in return, and Hornets have space anyway to make some noise considering Miller and Knuepel are still on rookie contracts. However, Miller will soon receive an extension, and now is the time for the Hornets to try to land an All-Star to add to their growing core.