Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has reportedly been coveted by Golden State Warriors executives for some time.
Following the Warriors’ elimination from the playoffs on Tuesday night, The Ringer’s Logan Murdock reported that Golden State has been “watching” Towns for a long time and could trade him if they want to get him this summer.
The Timberwolves are rumored to trade Towns before his four-year, $224 million extension begins next season.
Minnesota’s decision to heed Towns’ bids hinges on “playoff fortunes and the team’s projected luxury tax bill,” Murdock wrote.
Towns averaged 21. 8 points, 8. 3 rebounds and 3. 0 assists per game in the start of the regular season in 2023-24.
The Warriors may be prevented from completing an industry with the Towns because of their preference to go below the luxury tax threshold, Murdock said.
Warriors governor Joe Lacob said in February on The TK Show with The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami that going under the projected $172 million luxury tax apron next season is “Plan 1” (with NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin).
“Our plan 1, or 1A, is that we’d like to be tax-free, and we think we have a way to do that. It’s that kind of plan, not just under the current platform,” Lacob said in February. “I’m going to tell you why it’s vital, because the fact is that we want to be tax-exempt for two years out of the next four so we can get this story of recidivism off our books. We don’t want to be repeaters. “
The Warriors became the NBA’s all-time leader in luxury tax bills last season and expect astronomical bills this season. They will have paid around $700 million in luxury taxes over seven seasons, according to Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype.
Contract negotiations with Klay Thompson have stalled this season, in part due to the Warriors’ inability to pay for the UFA’s pending return to the platform.
The Warriors lately have $175. 4 million committed for next season, and Towns is capped at more than $49 million for Spotrac.
In the past, Lacob “was willing to spend if he felt he had a championship within his grasp,” Murdock said.
It’s unclear if Lacob still feels that way after Golden State’s failure in Wednesday’s disappointing playoff loss to the Sacramento Kings. Either way, taking on Towns’ salary cap doesn’t guarantee the Warriors will surpass the threshold next season.