KAT's Reaction to Giannis Trade Rumors, Contract Uncertainty Revealed in New Report After Knicks Win

Karl-Anthony Towns' long-term future with the New York Knicks looked anything but guaranteed at times this past season, but now he is an NBA champion and forever a legend in the Big Apple after helping lead the team to an NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

In the aftermath of Saturday's Game 5 win that clinched the championship, ESPN's Vincent Goodwill reported on Towns having to "endure being mentioned in summer trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo" and not receiving a contract extension from the Knicks.

"[Towns] wasn't looking around the locker room saying, 'Who wants Giannis here instead of me,'" a source close to Towns told Goodwill during the season. "He wants to be in New York. He's a great compartmentalizer, and he wasn't going to be vindictive about it."

Knicks-Spurs Highlights

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In October, ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Knicks were the one team Antetokounmpo wanted to play for besides the Milwaukee Bucks. That led to both teams discussing a possible trade in August, although they never came to terms on a deal.

What's more, Towns reflected on his role in new head coach Mike Brown's offense in October and said he didn't fully know what it would be even though "we're figuring it out."

It's safe to say they figured it out.

Perhaps the Knicks still would have won the championship had they traded for Antetokounmpo and paired him with Jalen Brunson. But that is hypothetical, and the title with Towns is reality.

The big man played critical defense on Victor Wembanyama at times during the NBA Finals win, especially during Games 1 and 2 when New York went into San Antonio and stole the first two contests and home-court advantage.

Towns finished Game 1 with 18 points and 12 rebounds before posting 21 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2. While Brunson ended up being the clear choice for NBA Finals MVP, there was a time early in the series when it appeared Towns may challenge for that award.

Attention will eventually turn to Towns' contract, as he has one more season remaining until his 2027-28 player option.

He certainly has more leverage in any ensuing negotiations now that he is a champion.