Anthony Davis faces an uncertain future with the Washington Wizards, as the two sides didn't discuss an extension over the summer when he became eligible to sign one on Aug. 6. They're letting things play out, which is the right move. And if the path they need to take ends up being a trade, Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks could stand in the way.
Like AD, Towns is extension-eligible, but as he said on Monday, the chances of him agreeing to a new deal with the Knicks before the regular season begins "don't look good" (subscription required). He has a $61 million player option for 2027-28 that he could decline next summer to become an unrestricted free agent if his camp and New York remain apart in negotiations, as they are now.
While it seems more likely that Towns will remain with the Knicks for the entire season in their repeat quest, push could come to shove, and he could be traded before the deadline. Or he could be on the move next offseason.
If the Wizards and Davis decide the best path for both sides is to end their partnership with a trade, Towns hitting the market (or even just the chance he will) could hurt AD's market, with teams in need of a center opting to make a push for KAT, or wait to see if he will be available.
Karl-Anthony Towns has put pressure on the Knicks
Towns and New York have until June 30 to reach an extension agreement, just like Washington and Davis.
There's no high priority to get something done before the regular season starts, since what could be best for New York and KAT is for him to opt into his player option next summer and sign a long-term deal. However, he's publicly pressured the front office by making it clear that he wants to stay where he is, and the team's offer of $200 million over four years doesn't reflect what he believes his value is.
You don't want a player who helped you win the organization's first title in 53 years to feel undervalued. Everyone knows James Dolan doesn't want the Knicks to become a second-tax-apron team, which is why they lost Mitchell Robinson in free agency. Still, Towns can understand their perspective while also wanting to be compensated fairly.
If KAT and New York don't agree to a new deal before the season starts and their relationship sours in the coming months, he could be the next big name on the trade market.
Karl-Anthony Towns could hurt Anthony Davis' trade market
Here's a scenario: as the Feb. 11 deadline nears, let's say the Warriors are pursuing a center to replace Kristaps Porziņģis and put themselves in a better position to contend for a title with Steph Curry. If KAT and AD were both options, Golden State should prefer the former, since he's nearly two years younger and doesn't come with the availability concerns that Davis does.
It matters that, when healthy, Davis is one of the best two-way players in the league, a label that Towns has never held. But with both needing new contracts, it'd make more sense for any franchise, not just Golden State, to commit to KAT, as he's a little younger and more durable.
Davis could strengthen his case by staying on the court and playing like the two-way force he can be, but that wouldn't eliminate the risks of trading for him and then paying him. It would make it more tempting, at least.
Wizards and Anthony Davis could avoid a trade altogether
What happens with Towns may not matter to Washington if the partnership's early results are promising enough that the Wizards choose to keep the center (and he wants to stay) past the deadline.
Davis said at media day that he wants to wait to discuss a new deal until the offseason, and that letting things get to that point would be risky for the Wizards, since he could decline his option and test free agency, though they could work something out before then.
No, he's no longer a max-salary player, but there could be a happy medium with less money and a shorter commitment than a four-year deal. It won't just depend on what the Wizards want, but also on whether Davis is content staying in D.C.
And you know what? Towns could also stay in New York, but in the meantime, you'll see, read, and hear plenty of trade speculation about both.
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