The Knicks are monitoring local product and current Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl Anthony Towns in hopes of making a trade for the center, it was reported by The New York Post.
According to The Post's Marc Berman, one individual who has spoken to Knicks brass said the front office still clings to the hope its cap flexibility will pay dividends down the line, and it seems they are looking at Towns in that scenario.
The Knicks hope to keep themselves in good position to make a blockbuster trade for a star player who could grow "disgruntled" with his current situation, according to The Post's source.
Towns, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft, is from Metuchen, New Jersey, and grew up a Knicks fan, so the idea of them being on his trade wishlist is not too far off.
The 2016 Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star signed a five-year, $190 million super-max contract extension with Minnesota before the start of the 2018-2019 season.
After bringing back two first round picks from Dallas in the Kristaps Porzingis trade, a package including one or both of those picks, plus a crop of players currently on the roster, could potentially reel back a player of Towns' caliber back to New York.
In the midst of his fifth season in the league, Towns is averaging 26.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, but the Timberwolves sit at 13th in the West with a 10-19 record.