ESPN’s Brian Windhorst wasn’t reporting anything during his guest appearance on Zach Lowe’s NBA podcast, but he certainly stirred the pot in Minnesota.
Before we get to what was said, just know that Windhorst and Lowe are two of the most respected basketball reporters on the planet, so when they say things – official or unofficial – people are going to react.
They’re really going to react when they start tossing around trade speculation about Karl-Anthony Towns.
“Has anybody noticed what’s going on in Minnesota with Karl Towns and that organization?” Windhorst said, with Lowe responding: “I said on some podcast recently, I just have a gut feeling something crazy is going to happen there this summer.”
“It’s not in a good place right now, internally,” Lowe added.
Wait, what? It only took a month to fall back into the organizational black hole they just spent 14 years climbing out of?
Continuing their spitball conversation, Windhorst says he doesn’t think the Pelicans will trade Anthony Davis this summer, but “Karl Towns, that might be a different story.”
Windhorst then said he’s not reporting anything, “I just asked a question.”
No, Mr. Windhorst. You cannot say that and expect anyone to let it go, especially when you’re talking about a 22-year-old superstar who still has one year left on his rookie contract before he can elect to take or reject a $10 million qualifying offer for the 2019-20 season.
And that’s the point. Towns would be foolish to take that qualifying offer, so he’s essentially entering a contract year next season, meaning Minnesota is under a ton of pressure to extend Towns long term or trade him while they can still get something for him.
Minnesota, is the reality we’re used to. Dig in for another wild ride.
