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File photo The idea of the Knicks moving on from Karl-Anthony Towns is no longer being dismissed around the league. Not even close, actually. James L. Edwards III of The Athletic wrote he would not be stunned if the Knicks ultimately trade Towns, even after public comments from owner James Dolan suggesting the roster is largely set. “As New York continues to free-fall, and I keep talking to people around the league, it would not stun me if Karl-Anthony Towns got traded,” Edwards wrote. “I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s something I’m monitoring.” There has already been smoke. Steve Popper of Newsday reported the Knicks have discussed Towns in trade talks with the Grizzlies, Magic and Hornets. Edwards cautioned that the return would not be massive — but the move itself would qualify as significant, given how much the organization has already churned over the past year and a half. Towns was acquired from the Timberwolves before last season and helped push the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they fell to the Pacers in six games. The aftermath mattered. Towns voiced frustrations about ex-coach Tom Thibodeau during his exit meeting and Thibodeau was fired shortly after. Their relationship had been rocky dating back to Minnesota. The Knicks replaced Thibodeau with Mike Brown, and league sources say that pairing has not been seamless either. New York sits at 25-18 with the February 5 trade deadline looming. The post Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns continues to circulate in trade rumors appeared first on Hoops Wire.

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NBA trade proposal sends Heat’s Kel’el Ware to Lakers

File photo The Lakers already did the hard part. They landed Luka Doncic. That changes everything. Once you have a player like Doncic, the conversation shifts. It is no longer about star hunting. It becomes about fit, balance, and who actually makes sense next to him over the long haul. That is where this hypothetical idea comes in, via James Piercey of Dallas Hoops Journal, who seems to specialize in such things. It lands Heat big man Kel’el Ware in L.A. Let’s take a look: Lakers receive Kel’el Ware Heat receive Dalton Knecht 2031 first-round pick, lottery protected Nothing wild. Nothing desperate. Just a basketball deal that lines up with where both teams are headed. Why Heat would listen Ware has not fallen out of favor, but his role has cooled. That usually means something in Miami. The Heat are never shy about moving young players if they are unsure about consistency or long-term buy-in. Knecht gives them a different developmental swing. He can shoot, move without the ball, and fit into a spacing-based offense. Add a future first-round pick and suddenly Miami gains flexibility without punting the present. For a franchise that prefers options over attachment, that matters. Why Lakers would do it Ware’s production is real, even in limited minutes. He rebounds, finishes efficiently, and stretches the floor. More importantly, his skill set fits cleanly next to Doncic. A big who can roll hard or pop to the arc forces defenses to make decisions. Doncic has built a career destroying those moments. Ware does not need touches. He needs space and timing. Defensively, he is still a work in progress. But the size, rebounding, and basic rim deterrence address real needs for Los Angeles. Bigger picture The Lakers are now operating on Luka’s timeline. Everything else is adjustable. Miami is competitive but not settled. This kind of move does not scream rebuild. It signals patience and flexibility. Sometimes the smartest trades are not about stars. They are about alignment. The post NBA trade proposal sends Heat’s Kel’el Ware to Lakers appeared first on Hoops Wire.

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