We interrupt your consumption of the Ja Morant rumor mill for a separate update on what the Memphis Grizzlies are doing. According to Steve Popper of Newsday, the New York Knicks are dangling Karl-Anthony Towns in trade talks with multiple teams, a list that includes the Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, and for some reason, the Grizzlies themselves.
Fans in Memphis should be crossing their fingers that these “talks” are entirely one-sided, and that the front office politely yet forcefully said “Thanks, but no thanks” when the Knicks inquired about their interest in Towns.
There are few scenarios in which taking on New York’s embattled big man makes any semblance of sense for the Grizzlies. If anything, should their interest prove real, it sets the stage for questions about this franchise’s direction—and potentially disaster.
The Grizzlies are sending mixed messages if they’re interested in Karl-Anthony Towns
Going after Towns would be a curious move, at best, for a team that recently revealed its modest asking price in any Morant trade. Merely shopping him suggests the Grizzlies are open to a more gradual timeline, if not a full rebuild. This rumor runs completely counter to that big-picture plan.
Towns is on the wrong side of 30, and owed over $118 million through 2027-28 (player option). While Memphis could use an offensive punch and also has the mother of KAT defensive safety nets in Jaren Jackson Jr., shelling out over $100 million per year combined for these two infers a heightened sense of urgency. And that isn’t going to end well.
Writing off Towns’ offensive struggles this season as the byproduct of his unhappiness in New York is fine. Yet, even when operating at their peaks, neither he nor Jackson is capable of being the best player on a legitimate contender. The Grizzlies would be skipping a massive step.
Holding onto Morant doesn’t make the prospect of landing Towns much more appealing. Memphis shipped out Desmond Bane over the summer because it couldn’t justify bankrolling a trio of him, Morant, and Jackson. Paying more money for Towns puts a similar, perhaps even lower cap, on the team’s ceiling.
This would make KAT-to-the-Grizzlies rumors even worse
In the event that the Knicks are so out on Towns they’re willing to accept Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, John Konchar, and Santi Aldama in return, the Grizzlies might be inclined to roll the dice. His contract is massive, but in the worst-case scenario, it’s short-term pain.
Here’s the thing: New York can’t take back that kind of package for Towns, and hope to save face. If KAT ends up in Memphis, it’s more likely because the Knicks found a way to turn their longstanding infatuation with Jackson into a reality.
Such a scenario would be easy to laugh off except there is already chatter that JJJ could wind up on the block. And if the idea of moving him at all makes you cringe, the prospect of sending him to the Knicks should induce projectile vomiting.
New York is among the league’s most asset-poor teams. It doesn’t have a single outright first-round pick, or a blue-chip prospect to dangle. Memphis would not be getting anything close to a king’s ransom for its star big man.
Perhaps this is all much ado over nothing—a rumor that never advanced beyond a preliminary call, text, or email. Grizzlies fans need to hope with all their might this is the case, because any one of the possible alternatives will leave their team looking much worse for wear.