Karl-Anthony Towns Has Hard Feelings Towards Knicks Over Giannis Trade Chatter

The New York Knicks have made plenty of moves in recent years, but the biggest of all was the blockbuster to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns ahead of the 2024–25 campaign. The former No. 1 overall pick played well in his first season for New York, but after some questions over his defensive game emerged, there were reports that the team was looking to move on from him.

Then in the summer of 2025, they reportedly had discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks over a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal that would involve Towns. While nothing came to fruition, that report got back to KAT, and he seemingly hasn't let it go, as it's now being reported that he still has hard feelings towards the organization as a result.

“Just ask the Knicks, whose talks with the Bucks about Antetokounmpo last summer led to hard feelings with Karl-Anthony Towns that, per team sources, remain to this day. That’s the double-doozy that every team seeks to avoid—the failure to land the player they’re pursuing that is followed by a step backward, relationship-wise, with the player who learned he was nearly sent packing in the process.”

On paper, that's a deal that makes sense for New York, but when they weren't able to get it done, there was backlash from the player, and given the way KAT has played this year, he's clearly still bothered by the situation.

Ultimately though, KAT remains one of the NBA's most talented players, and if he and the team can work through things, they'll once again be a top contender in the Eastern Conference this season.