Why a Wolves trade of Towns won’t happen now (but might next year)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are not having a smooth start to the 2022-23 NBA season. They are 13-14 and 11th in the Western Conference, with a -1.4 point differential. That’s not at all where this team expected to be after 27 games, not with the number of players and picks they traded for Rudy Gobert this summer.

Poor performance always spawns trade ideas, and these Wolves are no exception. Ideas have been swirling, from moving on from D’Angelo Russell to hunting for 3-and-D wings, and there are plenty of trade targets to consider. One of the juiciest ideas, however, has been the prospect of trading Karl-Anthony Towns.

Look anywhere Wolves fans gather, from Twitter to the comments to Twin Cities water coolers, and Towns trade ideas will pop up. The rumors aren’t just from fans, either – The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and Sports Illustrated’s Howard Beck have both discussed the idea recently. If the two centers plan isn’t working, move on from the one who seems to clam up in big games.

Can the Wolves pull the ripcord on a blockbuster Karl-Anthony Towns trade?

It’s an interesting thought experiment to continue, and it’s probably true that moving Towns for the right return would make the Wolves better. That being said, a trade involving Karl-Anthony Towns will absolutely not happen this season. Why is that?

It’s against the rules.