Knicks News: $8.8M Hurdle Delays Karl-Anthony Towns Trade, 4 More Players at Risk Amid Mitchell Robinson Rumors

In just two days, the New York Knicks have pretty much dissolved into chaos thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns trade. Of course, after the initial shock, it looked like things could maybe work out. However, the trade hasn’t officially been completed yet. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne updated the progress, with the only catch that players are unavailable for media day. But it seems like things aren’t that simple.

The first concern when the news broke was how the ‘Big Apple’ would go through with the deal. Both the Knicks and Wolves were above the first apron, which restricted them from taking back more salary than they sent out. But that’s where the Charlotte Hornets came in. With their help on the financial side, the deal could finally go through. Right? Just not yet.

Per senior NBA insider, Bobby Marks, “This trade has a lot of moving parts. Because New York is over the first apron, they cannot take back more money in the trade and will need to send out an additional $8.8M in salary.” The Hornets are currently $16 million under the luxury tax. So, ideally, this shouldn’t be a problem for the franchise. After all, they do get four players who could become stable at Charlotte amid their goal of rebuilding.

But how exactly will this work out? Sign-and-trade. “Besides Keita Bates-Diop ($2.6M), New York has DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr. and Charlie Brown Jr. available for a sign-and-trade. Jeffries, Washington Jr. and Brown Jr. are eligible because they finished the season on the New York roster. A sign-and-trade has to be a minimum of three season, with only the first year guaranteed,” Marks further added in his X update.

Considering that sign-and-trade requires only one year to be guaranteed, it provides further flexibility in maneuvering the risky CBA rules. Interestingly, this comes amid New York’s willingness to “take calls” for the trade of a longtime veteran.

Karl-Anthony Towns trade might see the exit of Mitchell Robinson

KAT’s arrival would effectively take care of the Knicks’ center duties, albeit at the cost of the longest-tenured New York veteran. The only home that the Knicks’ 2018 second-round pick knows is NYC. According to Knicks insider, Kris Pursiainen, the NY side’s front office has been “receiving and taking calls,” related to the injured center.

The often-injured 7-footer has had a terrible 2023-24 season. A fractured ankle in December saw Robinson miss 50 straight games. Although the 26-year-old returned for the playoffs, one skirmish with Joel Embiid in the opening round and Robinson was back on the injury report, having re-aggravated his ankle.

And everyone looking forward to the big man’s return got an early update – he was once again out due to an ankle injury, with a potential December-January return! Needless to say, it was disappointing. With Isaiah Hartenstein also leaving in free agency, Robinson’s absence had left them with a gaping hole in the center. One they managed to seal with Karl-Anthony Towns.

Anyway, keep checking this space for more updates as they come in, because we are not done with this. Not by a mile.