Karl-Anthony Towns was dead serious about leaving the Knicks. We’re talking Zillow serious, scouting out neighborhoods in Milwaukee with his now-wife, Jordyn Woods, all because of those Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors. This isn’t just locker room gossip; this is KAT himself admitting how close the Knicks came to breaking up their core before their historic championship run.
The Milwaukee Almost-Move
Can you even imagine? Towns, a cornerstone of the Knicks, actually thought he was headed to Milwaukee. He told The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski they were “on Zillow looking at Milwaukee” and he even scoped out the town, telling his wife, “Hey, babe, I went around town, and it’s not that bad. This could be a good spot right here.” This was all happening during the 2025-26 season, a period when the Knicks were struggling big time under first-year head coach Mike Brown. There was real tension between Brown and Towns, and it showed on the court. The team hit rock bottom on January 19, losing by 17 points to the Dallas Mavericks, right in the middle of a brutal 2-9 stretch over 11 games. Reports were swirling that the Knicks were eyeing Antetokounmpo if the Bucks decided to move him before the trade deadline. Milwaukee ultimately held onto their superstar, and the Knicks instead added Jose Alvarado from the New Orleans Pelicans.
From Rock Bottom to Championship Glory
It’s easy to forget that rough patch now, after how that season ended, but the Knicks pulled off one of the greatest turnarounds in NBA history. After that Mavericks loss, they ripped off eight straight wins. They finished the regular season with a scorching 28-11 record heading into the playoffs. Then, they truly went ballistic, going 16-3 in the postseason, including an insane run of 11 consecutive wins at one point. That momentum carried them all the way to their first championship in 53 years. Towns himself was a huge part of that playoff magic, averaging 15.9 points on an incredible 55.1 percent shooting from the field, including 45.6 percent from three-point range. He also chipped in 10.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.
What’s Next for KAT and the Knicks?
Even though Towns ultimately didn’t have to pack his bags for Wisconsin, his long-term future with the Knicks is still super hazy. It’s wild to think that after winning a championship, the two sides are reportedly “at odds” in their contract talks. Towns is heading into the final guaranteed year of his current deal, and he’s got a $61 million player option for the 2027-28 season. This Zillow story just hammers home how close things got to a breakup, and with contract talks stalled, it feels like that uncertainty is back on the table. The Knicks have a championship, but do they have Towns for the long haul?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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