The New York Knicks have finally secured their target. For years, the NBA has echoed with rumors that Leon Rose, the Knicks’ head of basketball operations, sought to bring Karl-Anthony Towns to Madison Square Garden. Many speculated it was only a matter of time before this became a reality. Now, that moment has arrived.
The NBA landscape has shifted again — and the trade of Mikal Bridges in June was just the beginning — as reports confirmed that Towns is heading to the Knicks in a deal involving Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, with the Charlotte Hornets acting as the facilitating third team.
There are various ways to interpret the Knicks-Wolves trade, but the most intriguing perspective unveils a captivating subplot:
What if both the Knicks and Wolves are betting not only on their own prospects but also on the likelihood of a fire sale by the Phoenix Suns in the near future?
In this potential scenario, each team would seek to attract a prized superstar with existing connections to a current star. For the Knicks, that individual would be Devin Booker, who has a strong relationship with Towns, both having previously worked with Rose. Conversely, the Timberwolves would likely aim for Kevin Durant, the player who has closely assisted Anthony Edwards during the Paris Olympics.
Indeed, the Knicks-Wolves trade is monumental, resonating throughout the league, yet could the most significant impact still be on the horizon? Let’s begin in New York, where Rose continuously expands his burgeoning empire through his extensive ties within the Creative Arts Agency.
Rose and the CAA Connection
Leon Rose, on the right, along with“`html
most powerful, most important man in the basketball realm.
Though Rose is typically reticent in engaging with the media, he made an exception for a rare discussion with MSG announcer Mike Breen in June 2020, primarily to express his thoughts on Wesley’s hiring.
“Wes is among the most esteemed and connected individuals within the basketball community,” stated Rose. “I believe he will contribute significantly to this organization. … This industry thrives on relationships; it relies on how you treat others, your work ethic, and the various traits that Wes embodies.”
From the front office to the court, the Knicks now have CAA’s influence woven throughout Madison Square Garden. Tom Thibodeau? A client of CAA. OG Anunoby, whom the Knicks secured on a maximum contract? CAA. Jalen Brunson, whom the Knicks actively pursued to sign a deal below market value? CAA. Even Rose’s son, Sam, represents Brunson as a CAA agent. And Towns? Yes, CAA. The connections deepen: Brunson’s father, Rick, was Rose’s very first NBA client when he was just starting as an agent in New Jersey. Currently, Rick Brunson serves as one of Thibodeau’s leading assistant coaches alongside the Knicks.
to play for then-head coach Calipari.
However, this tale does not start here. It traces back to 2010, when it was revealed that a 15-year-old from New Jersey, Karl-Anthony Towns, would compete for the Dominican Republic national team, joining NBA players like Al Horford and Francisco Garcia. (Towns’ mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, hailed from the Dominican Republic.)
As the 2012 Olympics approached, Towns, Horford, and Garcia made their way to the Kentucky Wildcats’ practice facility in Lexington for training, preparing to qualify for the Dominican Republic national team. Horford, a champion at Florida, and Garcia, who played for Louisville, joked about how their college fanbases would react to the situation. Their presence there stemmed from the fact that the national team’s coach was none other than Kentucky’s John Calipari, who had taken on the responsibility in 2011.
What prompted Calipari, the grandson of Italian immigrants, to accept the role of head coach for the Dominican team? One hint lies in one of his top recruits from high school: Towns.
Calipari has maintained that his intention in taking the Dominican Republic head-coaching position wasn’t to secretly recruit Towns to Kentucky. Regardless of his true intentions, shortly thereafter, Towns committed to Calipari’s program, and they reached the 2014 Final Four together in what was their only season in Lexington. Following a season where Towns played a vital role in leading Calipari’s Wildcats to an impressive 38-0 record, he declared his decision to forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility, hire an agent, and enter the NBA Draft. His agent? CAA’s Leon Rose, who happened to be Wesley’s long-term attorney.
Moreover, it’s worth mentioning that Towns’ father, Karl Towns Sr., has maintained a close relationship with the trio of Calipari, Rose, and Wesley from their grassroots connections in New Jersey basketball. Towns Sr. was a star at Monmouth and has been a well-known coach in the region, near where Wesley and Rose first established their connection back in the 1980s. This Jersey connection was highlighted when Towns Sr. was spotted pregame on the court at Rose’s inaugural game as New York’s top executive, according to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, a game also attended by Wesley before his official hiring.
Currently, the next notable name from CAA is Towns’ former Kentucky teammate, Booker.
Booker represents the face of the aging Suns, a star-studded team poised to break records with a projected combined salary and luxury tax burden exceeding $430 million. This staggering amount comes from a team that was swept in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Faced with new restrictions under the CBA that limit team building, the Suns shifted their focus to the only area unaffected by the CBA: the coaching staff. Owner Mat Ishbia parted ways with Frank Vogel and brought in Mike Budenholzer as his second
utch Sports. The leading figures on the list of CAA clients? Towns and Booker, both of whom graced the cover of SLAM magazine in 2019 and expressed their aspirations to one day play together, along with their close friend D’Angelo Russell. (It’s worth mentioning that Russell is also a client of CAA.)
Could this scenario unfold in New York?
The Suns as the Next Potential Domino
If the Suns encounter difficulties this season, teams are likely to inquire about Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
When the Knicks target a star player, there’s little doubt they will go to great lengths to secure him. Take, for example, Jalen Brunson’s case. Just before the start of the 2022 free agency period, Thibodeau and the Knicks hired Jalen’s father as an assistant coach—a role he has held under Thibodeau before. Many league insiders viewed this as part of a strategy to ultimately sign his son, Jalen. Just three weeks later, the Knicks managed to convince Brunson to leave“`html
With two All-NBA caliber stars on their roster, accompanied by former All-Defense members Mikal Bridges and Anunoby, the Knicks, alongside Josh Hart, assert themselves as one of the top starting fives in the NBA. (In his latest evaluation, Yahoo Sports’ insightful writer Ben Rohrbach ranks them fourth.)
However, a recent trade introduces a complication that suggests the Knicks may not be finished making moves. By facilitating this trade and sending out certain lower-salaried players to the Hornets, the Knicks have cleverly managed to stay beneath the dreaded second apron. This strategic maneuver is quite significant. It importantly enables the Knicks to combine contracts for a potential trade. Should they surpass that second-apron threshold, the Knicks would face restrictions, being limited to one-for-one trades, which would greatly diminish their chance of acquiring another star player.
For years, the connection between Towns and his close friend Booker has been notable. (Their agent at CAA, Jennifer Holtz-Steinberg, considers Rose a mentor from their collaborative past.) By staying just under the second-apron line, the Knicks have preserved this opportunity. Since Towns’ contract is the only one that aligns with Booker’s, a trade to unite them in New York would be unfeasible if the Knicks crossed the second-apron line.
Although it remains a long shot, there is now a possibility that the Knicks might manage to bring Booker to New York to play alongside Brunson and Towns this season. The signing of Anunoby to a long-term extension not only enhances their wing defense but also brings flexibility, as it allows one of them to become expendable should a superstar opportunity arise.
The 28-year-old Bridges, who isn’t affiliated with CAA, can receive an extension this season; however, it seems unlikely since he may secure a more advantageous long-term deal in the 2025 offseason. Currently, Bridges is set to earn just $23.3 million in 2024-25 and $24.9 million in 2025-26, making him one of the league’s better value contracts. He is also a former beloved player for the Phoenix Suns.
If the Suns were to seek a move involving Booker, they might consider reacquiring Bridges, who was traded to the Nets in 2023 as a key part of the Durant deal. Presently, the Knicks lack any tradable first-round picks to include in such a transaction, having already relinquished them in the Bridges and Towns trades. While the Suns would certainly seek to replenish their draft assets, the potential acquisition of a player of Bridges’ caliber might lessen its urgency.
Do not dismiss the notion of Booker eventually arriving in New York as unattainable. Over the past four years, Rose and the Knicks have transformed what seemed like dreams into reality. Few anticipated Brunson emerging as a top-five MVP candidate at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza. Acquiring Anunoby without surrendering a first-round pick was unexpected, as was the ability to secure Bridges from the rival Nets, or landing Towns in his prime following a deep playoff run.
The Suns may also become a target for the Timberwolves, who are aiming to keep their star, Anthony Edwards, satisfied. Many were taken aback when Minnesota decided to
During a sit-down interview with Vincent Goodwill at Team USA’s training camp, Durant expressed that his admiration for Ant “elevated significantly” following their playoff encounter in the first round. At media day, Ant made a point to reference KD when a journalist inquired about the lessons he gleaned from LeBron James and Stephen Curry during their summer experience in Paris.
If the Suns were to consider making Durant available as part of a future fire sale, it seems improbable that they would have accepted Towns’ substantial long-term contract. The Timberwolves now hold two expiring agreements: Rudy Gobert’s hefty $43.8 million and Randle’s $28.9 million (both featuring player options for the 2025-26 season). As a team that has surpassed the second apron, the Timberwolves currently lack the capacity to combine contracts — for instance, Randle and Jaden McDaniels — to match Durant’s existing $51.2 million salary. However, there remains ample time before the trade deadline or next summer to maneuver out of the second apron, making an Ant-KD pairing a viable possibility.
Ultimately, the Knicks-Wolves transaction may serve as the decisive strategic move for both franchises. Yet this is the NBA, and as Rose mentioned to Breen four years ago, this league is fundamentally reliant on relationships. This has become even more apparent following the Towns acquisition. Should the Suns face a downturn, there exists a chance that the bonds could strengthen further.
Knicks and Wolves Make Blockbuster Trade: Could Devin Booker Be Next?
The Trade Overview
In a stunning move, the New York Knicks have executed a blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves involving star center Karl-Anthony Towns. This transaction has sent shockwaves through the NBA, and fans are buzzing with speculation about who could be the next big player to switch teams. Could Devin Booker be on the horizon?
According to recent reports, the Knicks utilized a loophole in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to facilitate the trade, highlighting their strategic acumen in maneuvering through complex regulations. Both teams had to navigate various obstacles to ensure the legality of the deal, which adds an intriguing layer to this transaction [[1](https://www.si.com/nba/knicks-cba-loophole-karl-anthony-towns-trade-timberwolves)].
Implications of the Towns Trade
The acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns by the Knicks is set to reshape the landscape of the Eastern Conference. Here are some key implications:
- Strengthening the Roster: Towns brings elite scoring ability and rebounding prowess, complementing the existing talent on the Knicks’ roster.
- Increased Playoff Aspirations: With Towns, the Knicks position themselves as serious contenders in the playoffs, potentially challenging teams like the Bucks and Celtics.
- Marketability and Fan Engagement: This high-profile trade enhances the Knicks’ marketability, drawing in more fans and increasing merchandise sales.
Could Devin Booker Be Next?
With the Knicks making such a significant move, speculation is rife about potential future trades. Devin Booker, the star shooting guard for the Phoenix Suns, has emerged as a name to watch closely. Here’s why a trade for Booker could be on the Knicks’ radar:
Reasons for the Speculation
- Star Power: Booker is a proven scorer and playmaker, fitting perfectly into the Knicks’ need for offensive firepower.
- Contract Situation: As the Suns reevaluate their roster post-Towns trade, Booker’s future becomes uncertain, prompting the Knicks to consider an aggressive pursuit.
- Desire for a Big Three: The Knicks may be motivated to create a Big Three scenario, pairing Towns with Booker and another star like Julius Randle.
Analyzing the Feasibility of a Booker Trade
While the idea of acquiring Devin Booker is tantalizing, several factors will determine the feasibility of such a trade:
Contractual Considerations
Devin Booker is currently under a substantial contract that runs through multiple seasons. The Knicks will need to ensure they can make the financials work. Here’s a quick overview of Booker’s current contract status:
| Season | Salary |
|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | $33 million |
| 2024-2025 | $35 million |
| 2025-2026 | $37 million |
Trade Assets
To acquire a player of Booker’s caliber, the Knicks will likely need to part with some key assets. Potential trade packages could include:
- Young Talents: Players like RJ Barrett could be appealing to the Suns.
- Draft Picks: The Knicks have several future first-round picks that could sweeten the deal.
- Role Players: Moving a few role players to balance the roster is a likely scenario.
Potential Impact on Team Dynamics
The addition of Devin Booker would dramatically alter the Knicks’ dynamics. Consider the following impacts:
Offensive Synergy
Booker’s shooting ability and playmaking skills would create a new offensive identity for the Knicks. The team would likely run more pick-and-roll plays, maximizing the talents of both Towns and Booker. This could lead to:
- Improved spacing on the floor.
- Increased scoring efficiency.
- Enhanced ball movement leading to open shots.
Defensive Adjustments
While the emphasis might be on offense, the Knicks will also need to consider defensive strategies. Booker has improved on the defensive end, and his addition would require adjustments in how the Knicks defend on the perimeter.
Benefits of Acquiring Devin Booker
Acquiring a player like Devin Booker could provide numerous benefits to the Knicks:
- Increased Competitiveness: Adding a star player increases the likelihood of playoff success.
- Attracting Other Stars: A roster featuring Towns and Booker could attract other free agents seeking a championship environment.
- Fan Engagement: Star players like Booker generate excitement, boosting ticket sales and fan loyalty.
Conclusion
The Knicks’ recent trade for Karl-Anthony Towns has set the stage for potential further moves, with Devin Booker emerging as a tantalizing target. While the feasibility of such a trade depends on various factors, including contracts and team dynamics, the overall implications of acquiring a player of Booker’s caliber could redefine the Knicks’ trajectory in the NBA.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on New York to see how they capitalize on their newfound momentum and if they can successfully land another superstar in the form of Devin Booker.
