We can officially start the “Anthony Edwards to the Knicks” rumors. All it took was one crazy New York Knicks fan, and the scheming began.
The Knicks and the Timberwolves played on October 13th, with the Knicks winning the preseason game 115-110. The game had plenty of highlights and amazing moments, but the biggest for New York fans came after the game finished.
Let’s take a deeper look at what transpired.
Anthony Edwards Wants to Reunite with Karl-Anthony Towns in New York
Following the Knicks win, Ant and Karl-Anthony Towns exchanged greetings. And one fan had plenty to say about the future of the young star.
The fan yelled, “Once that contract is up, NY baby,” to which Ant replied:
“I’d definitely want to be reunited with KAT”.
Knicks fan: “Once that contract is up… New York, baby, New York.”
Anthony Edwards: “I definitely would love to be reunited.”
(via @Timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/LDI7lFoaIP
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 14, 2024
The New York Knicks fans shared their opinion on social media, some looking forward to the possibility of adding the brightest young star in the league. Others, of course, said the Knicks should stop with their dream of a big fish, saying they already have a contender and a young star on their roster.
If we look at the Anthony Edwards’ stats against the Knicks from the last game, the fans are in for some treat. Ant scored 31 points in 27 minutes of action, going 11-19 from the field and 8-13 from behind the arc.
Can the Knicks Realistically Sign Ant?
New York Knicks fans are some of the most interesting fans in the league. They always dream of a big fish. They dreamt of LeBron James back when he signed with the Miami Heat. For years, they have been dreaming of a star like Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo. Whenever they have a star that looks like he is fed up with his team, and there is a possibility of a trade/signing, the Knicks are in the mix.
But with Ant, it is not that simple. At the moment, Edwards is only 22 years old, considered among many the brightest American star in the league. He made the All-Star team two times, and last year, he was named to the All-NBA second-team.
Yet, the challenge is he recently signed a five-year max extension and is under contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves until the summer of 2029. There is no player option, team option, or anything else that can make him available before his contract finishes.
Do the Knicks Have Cap Room for Ant?
Currently, the New York Knicks have no player signed beyond the 2028-29 season. The only two players who have an option for the 2028-29 season are OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson. Both have a player option to make them unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2028 or 2029. Mikal Bridges might soon sign a contract that will take him through that year as well.
If the Knicks play their cards right, they will have enough space to sign a max player in the summer of 2029. Fun fact: they can also try to sign one in 2027 and 2028. At the moment, their projected cap for the summer of 2027 is $174 million. But they hold team options for Josh Hart at $22 million, and Pacome Dadiet at $5 million. Additionally, KAT has a player option at $61 million that year. With proper negotiations, they can get below the cap in the summer of 2027.
For next season, the NBA set the cap at $140 million. Yet, speculations are that the cap will go up by 10% for each of the following years thanks to the new NBA media deal.
All that being said, Anthony Edwards Knicks rumors have begun. Even though it is five years down the road, you never know. Did someone expect LeBron James to join the Miami Heat several years before it happened?
Will KAT and Ant Reunite in New York?
Madison Square Garden is a tailor-made arena for a bright star like Anthony Edwards. If the Knicks somehow manage to get him, that would be amazing for them and the league. In the summer of 2029, Ant will be 27 years old, just scratching his prime years.
Ant and KAT spent four years in Minnesota, during which they took the team to the Western Conference Finals. But the problem is, Karl-Anthony Towns might not be on the Knicks roster five years from now.
At the moment, he has a player option for the 2027-28 season, after which he can be a free agent. In 2028, he will be 32 years old, probably looking for his last big contract. Whether that will be with the Knicks or someone else, we will have to wait and see.
