Rockets Trade Karl-Anthony Towns to Orlando

[KW]

In a trade that has been discussed on and off since last season's trade deadline, long-time Rocket Karl-Anthony Towns was dealt to the Orlando Magic, to be finalized once Orlando has cap space prior to free agency, and may be expanded.

The trade sends Karl-Anthony Towns and Phoenix's 1st round pick next season to the Orlando Magic in exchange for picks #6, #11, #34 in this draft, a future Philly 1st, and Bam Adebayo, as well as a bit of cap relief.

Picks #6 and #11 turned into two small forwards: SF/SG MJ Walker, a very versatile do-it-all wing who is ready to contribute immediately as a scorer, and has the ability to be a quality passer and defender; and SF/PF Jalen Johnson, whose defensive prowess, shooting, and rebounding are big selling points, but doesn't have the same upside as a scorer. The rookies are a big part of the push to get even more shooting and versatility on the Rockets.

Bam Adebayo, while a great rebounder and defender that this team could certainly use at center, is in talks to be moved along for more pieces for the future. But if he is not, the Rockets will happily welcome him to the team and reap the benefits of what he brings to the table.

KAT spent 8 years in Houston and scored over 10,000 points. Under his watch, the Rockets were a playoff team every single season, but due to injuries and other issues, only made it past the 1st round twice, one of those, in 2022-23 when they were a few possessions away from knocking off the Suns to get to the CSL finals. But through it all, KAT was a joy to have and will be missed dearly as the Rockets pivot away from the current core of players in search of a different look.

The 28- going on 29-year-old Towns now becomes the unquestioned leader of Orlando, provided he isn't re-traded. Towns should be counted on for about 25/12 and 2 blocks with the Magic, particularly with young PG LaMelo Ball setting him up. In the time KAT has been a 1st option (such as Monk's first two seasons and whenever he's been injured), the Rockets have been thoroughly impressed and believe he can be the best center in the CSL. It is good to see Orlando making moves to improve, and we'll be rooting for them every step of the way.

[Jestor]

It’ll be interesting to see how you replace KAT’s scoring. Definitely Monk’s team, now

[Dennis]

Bam, Walker, Johnson for KAT is an easy deal imo. The window around Monk easily extended and it should help distributing the shots to Monk. KAT was great, but you can get so much scoring out of average bigs that it will be easier to replace the post scoring lost with KAT gone than getting such good and mostly efficient roleplayers.

[hardenwithnod]

That’s an excellent haul for KAT.

[Marcos_Beck]

Can’t judge this deal bc I don’t know the rookies at all (my fault here, completely)

But I like the fact Houston is FINALLY making moves! Team peaked with KAT - Monk - Winslow and Kyrus knows that. Good that you’re making the moves to re-shape the roster, get younger and more flexible. Even if that’s a step back now, down the road it’s incredibly good for this team.

[hardenwithnod]

Kyrus can probably move that Philly 1st back to Marcos for some valuable pieces too, since Marcos wants to rebuild.

[bt]

Might be just me but I didn't think KAT would/should get a return like that.

That's a big price for an extra 5-8 points a game from your big.

[KW]

Might be just me but I didn't think KAT would/should get a return like that.

That's a big price for an extra 5-8 points a game from your big.

I think he doubles Bam in scoring. Monk's been holding him back unfortunately.

[bt]

Yeah it's possible I guess but bar Zion, who is a beast inside, I just don't see those 70-75 scoring rated bigs doing much more than 20 a game so to me, that's a big price for an extra 5-8 points but we'll see.

Hopefully I'm wrong for the Magic's sake. Bit of a weird move regardless taking on a max contract 29 year old when the perfect rebuild was playing out in front of their eyes.

[KW]

KAT actually started this past season around 23-25ppg but my perimeter options were struggling too much, so I dialed back the post touches in order to get Monk going.

I don't see that same issue happening with LaMelo whose biggest asset is his passing ability.

[cb4raptorscb4]

Wow, it's going to be weird not facing KAT in a Rockets uniform. Hard to judge the deal now, but we'll see how the Rockets perform next season. I expect KAT to light it up.

[andrei]

I think Orlando did very well last year with their draft - but this is a step back to me. Like you could have had Walker and Johnson who are studs and aligned with your timeline and you continue to develop your core. But now you get KAT - sure, he is an amazing player but how many wins will he add?

Hands down easy trade for Houston and they got themselves an amazing return.

[WillyJakkz]

Great read and trade, I think this is a first for us since the oCSL days!

And yeah so used to KAT in HOU it's gonna be weird.

Considering irl I've been in the ER and had health concern I'm not concerned about "my window" in a game which takes 6 real life months of my team growing then hoping to draft another young player to grow with the team now we're at a real life yr lol of my team being horrible which has been this way for the past 3-4 real life yrs lol no thx.

Depending on other moves he and Ja or Ball along with Kuminga should make a pretty cool core.

[KW]

Great read and trade, I think this is a first for us since the oCSL days!

And yeah so used to KAT in HOU it's gonna be weird.

Considering irl I've been in the ER and had health concern I'm not concerned about "my window" in a game which takes 6 real life months of my team growing then hoping to draft another young player to grow with the team now we're at a real life yr lol of my team being horrible which has been this way for the past 3-4 real life yrs lol no thx.

Depending on other moves he and Ja or Ball along with Kuminga should make a pretty cool core.

it might actually go all the way back to our RealGM trade games days lol

Hope you're doing well now!

[Stockton12]

I think Orlando did very well last year with their draft - but this is a step back to me. Like you could have had Walker and Johnson who are studs and aligned with your timeline and you continue to develop your core. But now you get KAT - sure, he is an amazing player but how many wins will he add?

Hands down easy trade for Houston and they got themselves an amazing return.

this ..orlando should have kept rebuilding ..shows u willy has no idea ..imagine the team he could of had by now if he stuck it out and not traded his picks

[Cyrisnyte]

Really like the move for Houston which is bad for us as they get younger and stay relevant.