{"id":28096,"date":"2020-01-03T11:18:40","date_gmt":"2020-01-03T16:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=28096"},"modified":"2020-01-03T11:18:40","modified_gmt":"2020-01-03T16:18:40","slug":"the-golden-state-warriors-are-reportedly-eyeing-karl-anthony-towns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2020\/01\/03\/the-golden-state-warriors-are-reportedly-eyeing-karl-anthony-towns\/","title":{"rendered":"The Golden State Warriors Are Reportedly Eyeing Karl-Anthony Towns"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Golden State Warriors<\/a> are keeping tabs on Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> center Karl-Anthony Towns, according to The Athletic\u2019s Ethan Strauss<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Only recently removed from their perch as the NBA\u2019s most dominant ball club, Steve Kerr\u2019s Warriors started the season as the underdogs, and understandably so. Kevin Durant is long gone, having committed the next few years of his career to the Brooklyn Nets<\/a>, while both Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are out with long-term injuries.<\/p>\n

Golden State Warriors Interested in Karl-Anthony Towns<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A Wasted Season for the Golden State Warriors<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The team has shown significant improvement on the defensive end in recent times, something that propelled them to a four-game win streak from December 20th to December 27th before a loss to the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Kerr and the Warriors have likely written this season off as one for development. Next season, they will regroup and mount another attack on the NBA championship. But that won\u2019t stop them from going after the best players available on the market if they have the wherewithal. Per Strauss, the team has been monitoring the situation brewing with Towns in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Karl-Anthony Towns a Hot Topic at the G League Showcase<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cEvery plausible team is keyed on Milwaukee\u2019s Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose future may be determined by whatever happens in these upcoming playoffs,\u201d he writes. \u201cThe Warriors have been monitoring Karl-Anthony Towns\u2019 situation in Minnesota. He\u2019s under contract until 2023-24. He has less reason than Antetokounmpo to be thrilled with his team\u2019s trajectory.”<\/p>\n

This was a topic among multiple team executives at the recent G League Showcase. with a few relaying words that Towns is unhappy in Minnesota. The Wolves currently sit at 13th in the Western Conference, two spots ahead of the gap-year Warriors, looking at another lost season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the Wolves might dream of a scenario where Russell teams up with his good friend Towns, the Warriors have a differing vision of how a trade between the two franchises could shake out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Towns, the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, has lived up to the hype. This season, he is averaging 26.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per contest. Despite this, the Wolves are looking unlikely to make the playoffs at 12-20 so far this season. The two-time All-Star is easily one of the most skilled big men in the NBA at the moment. It would make sense for the Warriors as he\u2019s able to spread the floor with his outside shooting. However, he can also be a commanding presence in the paint both on offense and defense.<\/p>\n

The Warriors would probably have to give D\u2019Angelo Russell up to get Towns. Although that deal is thought to be a long shot at the moment. But there could be plenty of trade activity afoot before the deadline on February 6th.<\/p>\n

Current NBA Betting Favorites<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kerr\u2019s side is last in the Western Conference at the moment with no hope of making the playoffs this season. The Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> and Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> are the joint favorites to win the title at 13\/4 with online bookmakers<\/a> Bet365.<\/p>\n

Another major NBA title contender this season are the Bucks. William Hill has them at 7\/2, with the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> at 8\/1. Betfair lists the Houston Rockets<\/a> at 11\/1, while the Denver Nuggets<\/a> are 14\/1 per Marathon Bet.<\/p>\n

Adding a player like Towns would certainly boost the former champs. However, it would do little where their title aspirations are concerned this season. A healthy backcourt boasting Curry and Thompson, coupled with the Timberwolves star, next season would be considered instant contenders, however.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>