Warriors Desperate After Butler Injury: Is Karl-Anthony Towns the Last Big Swing?

The Golden State Warriors have been forced into a scenario few inside the organization could have anticipated when the 2025–26 season tipped off. What once looked like a carefully constructed championship push has been shaken to its core by devastating news: Jimmy Butler, widely viewed as the team’s second star, has suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

With Butler sidelined for the remainder of the year, Golden State suddenly finds itself short on star power, shot creation, and two-way presence. As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, the Warriors are expected to explore aggressive options to keep their title hopes alive. One name, in particular, has begun to surface with increasing intrigue: Karl-Anthony Towns.

Why Towns is suddenly on the Warriors’ radar

The idea isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound. The New York Knicks have stumbled badly in recent weeks, dropping nine of their last 11 games and sparking widespread speculation about roster changes. According to reporting out of New York, the Knicks have engaged in exploratory trade talks involving Towns with several teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets.

Towns, despite the Knicks’ struggles, continues to produce at an elite level. The five-time All-Star is averaging 21.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while shooting efficiently both inside and beyond the arc. His combination of size and perimeter skill remains rare—even by modern NBA standards.

A perfect stylistic fit next to Stephen Curry?

From Golden State’s perspective, the appeal is obvious. Losing Butler doesn’t just remove a scorer—it strips the Warriors of a secondary superstar who could ease the offensive burden on Stephen Curry. Towns could help fill that void in a very different, but potentially devastating, way.

Few big men in league history stretch the floor like Towns. His ability to operate in pick-and-pop actions, pull opposing centers away from the rim, and punish switches would open massive driving and shooting lanes for Curry and the rest of the Warriors’ offense. In a system built on spacing, movement, and read-and-react principles, Towns’ offensive versatility could be amplified even further.

Just as importantly, Golden State has been searching for a frontcourt scorer who can consistently create mismatches without disrupting Curry’s rhythm. Towns checks that box.

A desperate move—or a calculated gamble?

This wouldn’t be the Warriors’ first time flirting with a blockbuster. They were previously linked to trade conversations involving Anthony Davis before his own injury concerns cooled those discussions. Towns represents a different type of risk: younger, healthier, but carrying a massive contract and lingering questions about defense and playoff reliability.

For Mike Dunleavy Jr., the calculus is complex. Standing pat likely signals the end of serious title contention this season. Swinging big for Towns, however, could give Golden State a legitimate second star and preserve a championship window that still revolves around Curry’s brilliance.

What’s in it for New York?

From the Knicks’ side, moving Towns would mark a dramatic shift—but possibly a necessary one. With inconsistency plaguing the roster and the salary cap tightening, New York may decide that reshaping the team around different pieces is the smarter long-term play. Golden State’s assets—young players, draft capital, or expiring contracts—could help facilitate that reset.

All eyes on the deadline

Nothing is imminent, and no deal is guaranteed. But the mere fact that Towns’ name is circulating in serious discussions makes this scenario worth monitoring closely. For the Warriors, the choice is stark: accept a lost season, or gamble on a move bold enough to redefine it.

If Golden State truly wants to stay in the championship conversation after Butler’s injury, Karl-Anthony Towns may represent the most compelling—and daring—option on the table.