Let’s face it, the Knicks aren’t playing it safe anymore. They’re swinging for the fences.
After trading for Karl-Anthony Towns this offseason, New York is already eyeing another significant move. And it’s not just anyone. It’s KAT’s former frontcourt partner in Minnesota, Rudy Gobert.
Yeah, you read that right.
The Knicks are seriously considering pairing Towns with Gobert again. Because apparently, the Knicks saw enough during their quick trip to France, where Towns and Gobert recently linked up, to consider running it back in the Big Apple.
Gobert Could Patch The Knicks’ Frontcourt Woes
According to a Heavy Sports trade proposal, the Knicks could send Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson to Minnesota in exchange for Rudy Gobert and Terrence Shannon Jr. It’s a steep price, sure. But the logic checks out.
Robinson’s health continues to be a huge question mark. He played just 17 games last season and only 31 the year before. When healthy, he’s elite. But that’s the problem, he hasn’t been. Gobert, on the other hand, is as durable as they come. Since 2018-19, he’s averaged 72 appearances per season.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
The fit next to Towns? Already tested. In the 2023-24 season, the Timberwolves posted a +9.2 net differential with Towns and Gobert on the floor together, per Cleaning The Glass. That’s top-tier. And while Gobert’s offensive game doesn’t stretch the floor, it doesn’t have to. His job is to protect the rim, rebound, and let Brunson and Towns handle the rest.
Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports nailed it: “Towns is everything you could want offensively from a modern-day, floor-spacing center… He also cannot defend.” That’s where Gobert steps in. He’s a four-time Defensive Player of the Year for a reason.
THIS KNICKS SEQUENCE 🔥🔥
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2025
KAT DEFENSE.
OG LAYUP AT THE OTHER END.
16-1 RUN FOR NEW YORK IN GAME 1 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/8fe3NlHNF2
Financially, the deal works. Rudy Gobert has three years and $109.5 million left on his contract, which is aligned with the timelines of Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson, and OG Anunoby. Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson are on expiring deals, giving Minnesota some cap relief as they continue to pay Julius Randle and Naz Reid.
The Timberwolves may hesitate to part with Wendell Shannon, but Leonard Miller could be an alternative. Either way, New York’s interest in Gobert is serious. The Knicks aren’t settling for just a playoff run, they want a title shot.
Also Read: John Calipari Reveals How Karl-Anthony Towns Turned Down Lakers To Chase No. 1 Spot In NBA Draft
