New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns admitted that he and Jordyn Woods were looking at places to live in Milwaukee when his name surfaced in trade rumors involving then-Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo earlier this year.
Antetokounmpo ultimately remained with Milwaukee through the season before the Bucks traded him to the Miami Heat in June. But months before the blockbuster offseason move, speculation surrounding Antetokounmpo's future created legitimate uncertainty for Towns in New York.
Towns revealed the extent to which he and Woods considered the possibility of a move during a recent interview with Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. The trade speculation emerged during one of the lowest points of what eventually became New York's championship season.
According to Krawczynski, the Knicks struggled to find consistency under coach Mike Brown early in the season and endured a 2-9 stretch in January. Towns faced criticism from fans during that period, while Woods said the atmosphere became difficult enough that she temporarily stopped attending games.
“I honestly stopped going to the games for a little while,” Woods said. “It was turning dark.”
Following a 17-point home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Towns began appearing prominently in trade speculation involving Antetokounmpo, who was still with the Bucks at the time. The possibility apparently became realistic enough for Towns and Woods to consider what life in Milwaukee could look like.
“We were on Zillow looking at Milwaukee,” Towns said, smiling and mimicking his conversations with Woods about checking out real estate. “Like, ‘Hey, babe, I went around town, and it’s not that bad. This could be a good spot right here.’”
Ultimately, Towns never had to make the move.
Karl-Anthony Towns went from Knicks trade rumors to NBA champion
The Knicks responded to their midseason struggles by winning their next eight games and finishing the regular season on a 27-10 run. After falling behind 2-1 against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs, Towns and Brown found a formula that helped transform New York's postseason.
Brown increasingly utilized Towns as a central piece of the offense, allowing the big man to contribute as both a scorer and facilitator. New York responded by winning 13 consecutive playoff games, eliminating Atlanta before sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers to reach the NBA Finals.
“Whatever was needed, I was willing to do at the highest level and be a star in my role,” Towns said. “I think, in my career, I’ve always talked about my versatility, and it took that word versatility to get this championship.”
New York ultimately completed its turnaround by winning its first NBA championship since 1973.
Despite the title, Towns' long-term future with the Knicks has again become a topic of discussion entering the 2026-27 season. ESPN's Shams Charania recently reported that contract extension negotiations between Towns and New York have stagnated and that an agreement entering training camp is considered “unlikely.”
SNY's Ian Begley reported that the Knicks have discussed deals with Towns' representatives that would begin in the $45 million to $50 million range. Towns also holds a $61 million player option for the 2027-28 season, creating another financial consideration for a Knicks organization intent on avoiding the second apron.
The circumstances are much different from January, when Towns and Woods were checking Milwaukee real estate amid rumors of a potential Antetokounmpo trade. Antetokounmpo is now with the Heat, while Towns enters training camp as an NBA champion and a central piece of New York's title defense, even as questions surrounding his next contract remain unresolved.