Minnesota Timberwolves star centre Karl-Anthony Towns could find his name in the middle of NBA trade talks before the start of the upcoming season.
According to Bleacher Report, the 2015 first-overall pick could be moved within the next few weeks with several teams looking to accelerate their path to an NBA Championship.
Towns has the most valuable contract on Minnesota's roster, signing a four-year supermax extension that runs through 2027-28. However, the eight-year NBA veteran could be the latest to fall victim to the team's desires to invest in 2020 No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards and budding star Jaden McDaniels.
NBA insiders have suggested that Towns could be dealt to the Houston Rockets in a deal that would pair him with James Harden -- should the shooting guard choose to return after leaving for the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. Most league analysts suggest that Harden, who is currently with the Philadelphia 76ers, will decline his player option and opt out of Philadelphia, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The Golden State Warriors are also reportedly interested in Towns' services. It has been suggested that Golden State could offer a package of Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and the No. 19 pick in this year's NBA draft.
NBA insiders also expect Edwards to receive a max contract after his rookie deal ends in 2024, making him a restricted free agent. With Towns signing the max deal, it puts the Wolves in a difficult position regarding his future with the team.
McDaniels, who will be a restricted free agent this summer, is expected to request $25-$30 million per season. It would create a host of luxury tax issues for a team that managed to sneak into the NBA playoffs with a 42-40 average record. However, the upward trajectory of the young power forward suggests that his future with the team is a priority.
Towns' production also diminished with the arrival of Rudy Gobert in 2022. He was acquired from the Utah Jazz in exchange for five players, four first-round picks, and a pick swap. The French centre is also under contract until 2026.
The trade of Gobert hasn't resulted in a progressive jump for the franchise, losing 4-1 in the opening round of the NBA playoffs to the eventual Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets. One year after the decision to pair Towns and Gobert, the franchise is already expected to break up its double-centre experiment and invest in its younger talent.
Whether Towns is traded away from Minnesota or not, it's clear that Edwards is the franchise's new face and the offensive focal point, which is expected to carry the team toward a deep playoff run.
