According to Steve Popper of Newsday, the New York Knicks are actively seeking out ways of becoming better as a team, especially when in the midst of a four-game losing streak and being 2-9 in their last eleven games.

With the trade deadline approaching rapidly, New York could become bold and trade starting pieces to try to kickstart their postseason run. One name that has been circulating around the National Basketball Association is Karl-Anthony Towns.

Reportedly, the Knicks have held conversations with the Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, and Charlotte Hornets on a potential Towns trade.

This isn’t the first time the 30-year-old has been connected to trade rumors/reports. Back in the summer, per ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks were willing to trade Towns and other assets to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Towns is set to make $53.1 million this season, with $57 million being paid to him next season. In 2027-28, the veteran will have a $61 million player option. On top of all this, this upcoming offseason, he will be eligible to sign an extension.

With 7:01 remaining in the first quarter, Jalen Brunson was seen limping to the locker room after apparently spraining his ankle.

While he was able to walk back to the locker room, the New York Knicks ruled him out for the remainder of the game. With him ruled out, New York lost to the Sacramento Kings 112-101.

“We didn’t respond. We didn’t respond at all,” said Knicks coach Mike Brown about his team’s response after Brunson left the game. 

Right now, nobody knows the severity of this injury. Previously, the 29-year-old has missed two games this season due to a sprained right ankle.

The Knicks did not have any updates on Brunson after the game. Reports were circulating that Brunson did not have a walking boot on or with crutches.

New York’s next game is this upcoming Friday against the Golden State Warriors; at this moment, it is unclear whether or not the franchise player will be available to suit up.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the New York Knicks have made Jalen Brunson “untouchable” in any trade conversations that may or may not include Giannis Antetokounmpo.

New York has made it clear they highly value Brunson, even if it means not being able to land Antetokounmpo as a result of it. The Knicks internally believe having him on a discounted contract will allow them to outlast their competition in their never-ending quest for a championship.

Both Milwaukee and New York have kicked the can around on a potential trade; however, both teams have the common mentality of wanting to keep their franchise player for the foreseeable future.

This has ultimately led to talks settling down and now at a stalemate of what’s next. It’s reportedly believed that the Knicks offered the Bucks a combo of Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson.

It’s unclear how the organization feels about potentially trading away Mikal Bridges; the reason why he wasn’t apart of this round of trade talks was due to being ineligible in the month of August because of contract restrictions.

Since the ending of last season, beginning this offseason, Antetokounmpo has sent very mixed signals of what he wants do with his career and if that’ll be continued with the Milwaukee Bucks.