Let’s start by saying it clearly: This would be a long shot. Of all the players the Warriors might be able to reel in this summer, when the team will be on the hunt to address its lack of a big man, getting a player of Karl-Anthony Towns‘ size and skillset would be ideal.
But it’s a long shot.
Still, general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. did say after Golden State was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last month that size will be a premium for the Dubs. To close the year, the Warriors used 6-foot-6 Draymond Green at center and 6-foot-6 Jimmy Butler at power forward.
That lack of size was exposed in the playoffs.
“That’s always, I know, around here the buzz word is ‘size.’” Dunleavy said. “I’d love to have an ability to play bigger with Draymond and Jimmy in the frontcourt, and we can always go to our ace in the hole with Draymond at center, which we did basically from Feb. 8 on.”
Dunleavy continued: “You can get bigger, more athletic, more skilled in terms of shooting, passing, defending. We can improve in a lot of areas while at the same time knowing we’re shored up and good in some areas. We’ll look to do those things. For sure you can do that.
“We’ll look at trades. We’ll look at free agency.”
Going out and trading for a 7-footer like Towns makes sense. He can shoot the 3-pointer (always a plus for the Warriors) and can block shots, even if he is not a great individual defender. At the gambling site Bovada, the Warriors are among the favorites to make a deal for Towns, with plus-285 odds.
The Phoenix Suns have just emerged as the favorites to land Karl-Anthony Towns if the Knicks trade him, per @BovadaOfficial
Phoenix Suns +160
Orlando Magic +200
Golden State Warriors +285
Utah Jazz +425
Dallas Mavericks +600
Toronto Raptors +950 pic.twitter.com/RdsBhao321— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 3, 2025
Of course, there are a few obstacles to such a deal. First, the Knicks have given no indication that Towns will be on the block, after he averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season. Second, there is the problem of what, exactly, the Warriors could send to New York as compensation.
Butler or Green would need to be part of the deal, as would young pieces like Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski. The Warriors would also have to include at least one first-round pick–and even then, other teams could offer the Knicks a better package.
Mark Towns down, then, as a potential wish-list addition. But a long shot, to be sure.
