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New York Knicks star big man Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns faces an uncertain future with the New York Knicks, and this current playoff run could potentially make or break Towns’ future in New York.

If the Knicks are able to go on a deep run, then they likely won’t be looking to shake things up in a big way over the offseason. However, if they exit early from postseason play, major changes could be on the horizon.

Karl-Anthony Towns’ Future With Knicks Could Depend on a Deep Playoff Run

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 07: Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks reacts during the first quarter against the Boston Celticsn Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 07, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

According to a report from Vincent Goodwill of ESPN, Towns could be the odd man out of things go south for New York.

“Executives around the league believe Towns would be the key to the Knicks chances to topple the conference favorites. If they can’t, many front office members around the league also believe New York will survey the market for Towns trades this summer,” Goodwill wrote.

“Is Towns’ game in decline or is he just being underutilized? Is Towns a Knick for life or a placeholder for the next star angling to play at Madison Square Garden? There has always been smoke around Towns and his future with the Knicks. And this summer, expect it to billow.”

Last season, the Knicks made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000, and the team still decided to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau. So, that should tell you how high expectations are in New York, and how fare the Knicks might need to advance in order for Towns to avoid the same fate as Thibodeau.

Karl-Anthony Towns Could be the Key to a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade for Knicks

GettyKarl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks grabs the rebound before Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half at Madison Square Garden on November 08, 2024 in New York City.

There’s another reason that the Knicks could potentially look to move Towns over the offseason, and it involves Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who the Knicks have been interested in for quite a while.

Antetokounmpo could potentially be available on the trade market over the offseason, and Towns could be a central piece in a package that the Knicks could offer Milwaukee.

“If they come up short, if they don’t make the Finals — aside from [Mikal] Bridges, because he was traded for all the draft picks — Towns will take the most heat because of his résumé,” a rival team executive said, via Goodwill. “Because [Jalen] Brunson won’t take the heat and they’ll say Towns didn’t deliver. Especially with Giannis sitting out there.”

The pressure facing New York this postseason was already immense, but it’s just been ratcheted up a notch, especially for Towns, who wants to be a “Knick for life,” per Goodwill.

In order for that to happen, Towns might have to turn in an epic postseason performance. And even that might not be enough if Antetokounmpo is available.