In what could become the most sensational rumor of the NBA offseason, whispers are swirling around a potential trade that would send Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry to the New York Knicks in a seismic swap involving Karl‑Anthony Towns. Despite its improbability, the mere thought has fans and analysts buzzing.
A Bold Trade That Makes Strategic Sense
One prominent such concept was proposed by Dean Simon of The Sporting News, who outlined a speculative deal: the Knicks could trade Jalen Brunson—plus several role players like Jericho Sims, Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride—and future first-round picks in exchange for the Warriors’ perennial All-Star guard, Curry .
This isn’t just a flashy headline. Strategically, pairing Curry with Towns—a lethal shooting center with a career 3-point percentage around 40%—could create one of the most dynamic offensive duos in NBA history .
Golden State’s Perspective: How Brunson Fits In
On the flip side, the Warriors could benefit from acquiring a younger scoring point guard like Brunson, aligning better with their timeline and providing a fresh scoring dynamic to support Curry in his later years ().
Knicks vs. Warriors: Balancing Offense with Defense
However, a Curry-for-Brunson swap wouldn’t just reshape offenses—it could disrupt team identities.
- New York: Trading Brunson for Curry would mean reshuffling floor balance and substituting a durable scorer with an aging legend—raising questions about defensive impact, longevity, and future flexibility.
- Golden State: The Warriors would give up a franchise icon in Curry—an emotional and cultural blow—and need to manage both his salary and the optics of moving on from their all-time great.
Context in the Current Trade Landscape
While this hypothetical fires imaginations, the reality is less active. The Knicks and Warriors have been connected in other trade talks, including scenarios involving Towns and players like Jimmy Butler—though none involved Curry directly.
Meanwhile, Curry himself pushed back on trade chatter earlier this year, stressing that he expects a championship-level team around him and rejecting narratives suggesting otherwise.
What Fans and the League Stand to Lose—or Gain
Imagine Madison Square Garden packed with anticipation as Curry drains a signature 3-pointer. The marketing potential, global buzz, and playoff pull would be enormous.
But the stakes are high. The Knicks would be trading a younger core piece in Brunson and multiple assets for a player in his late 30s. Golden State, meanwhile, risks dismantling the very foundation that powered their dynasty.
