Blockbuster Lakers-Knicks Trade Floated for $220 Million 5-Time All-Star

The NBA rumors are heating up with free agency starting in less than a week and the Los Angeles Lakers along with the New York Knicks are front and center amid plenty of speculation. Teams without salary cap space will be forced to explore the trade market if the franchises are looking to make a major addition.

Some NBA trade proposals are more wild than others and one blockbuster idea is being floated as the NBA draft nears a close. Any potential trade involving the Lakers and Knicks is sure to generate interest given the two teams’ massive fan bases.

Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley floated three potential landing spots for a possible trade involving Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns. The Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and yes, the Lakers were proposed by the analyst.

It is worth noting that finding a way to navigate the salary cap for a Lakers-Knicks trade involving Towns is more than complicated. That said, it is hard to argue with Towns’ fit in Los Angeles given the team’s ongoing search for an upgrade at center.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of a potential Knicks-Lakers trade.

A Blockbuster Lakers-Knicks Trade Involving Karl-Anthony Towns Is More Than Complicated

Part of the reason the Lakers are unlikely to land Towns is his massive four-year, $220 million contract that is slated to run through the 2027-28 season. Towns will have a $53.1 million cap hit in 2025-26.

“Towns might land on the optimistic end of L.A.’s trade budget, but the Lakers might have just enough assets and money-matching salaries to get a deal done,” Buckley wrote in a June 25, 2025, story titled, “Karl-Anthony Towns’ Top Trade Landing Spots After 2025 NBA Draft.” “And while he isn’t the lob-crusher many might envision the franchise pairing with Luka Dončić, Towns’ ability to stretch the floor could prove even more beneficial for the Lakers’ stars.

“The three-star model has proved a tricky one under the collective bargaining agreement, but a trio of Towns, Dončić and LeBron James might have enough combined star power to pull it off. L.A.’s defense might take a hit, but that may not matter if the offense is pumping in 125-plus points per night.”

Knicks Rumors: Insider Predicts a 40% Chance That New York Trades One of the Team’s Starters

From the Knicks perspective, it is hard to imagine the Lakers have the necessary assets to entice New York to move on from the 5-time All-Star. Outside of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves has the most obvious trade value.

A New York shakeup is not outside the realm of possibility, even if Los Angeles is an unlikely trade partner. The Athletic’s James Edwards III estimates a 40% chance one of the “usual starters” is dealt.

“I think there’s a 40 percent chance one of the “usual starters” isn’t on the roster opening night,” Edwards detailed in a June 17, story titled, “Knicks head coaching search, free-agent targets, trades and more: Mailbag.”

“… (OG) Anunoby and Towns are very good players, but both guys have lengthy deals — and have dealt with injuries throughout their careers. If you told me New York might try to get off of one of those, I wouldn’t be totally surprised.”

Lakers fans can dream about a trio of James, Doncic and Towns returning Los Angeles back into an NBA championship contender. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the salary cap will be quick to dash these visions.