Karl-Anthony Towns Rumors: Warriors, Wolves Talked Before Julius Randle, Knicks Deal | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Before the New York Knicks made a surprising blockbuster trade late in the season to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns, the Golden State Warriors had at least some interest in the four-time All-Star.

According to The Athletic's Anthony SlaterThe Warriors had “a conversation” with the Minnesota Timberwolves about Towns, which “didn’t move forward,” in part because Golden State didn’t have the package of assets to match what the T-Wolves were looking for.

Towns was traded to the Knicks on October 3 as part of a three-team deal that also included the Charlotte Hornets. Minnesota got Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and a future first-round draft pick in the deal.

The Warriors have been trying unsuccessfully to find another star player for Stephen Curry for some time. Apparently they were close to bringing in Paul George over the summer.

George said on his podcast in July that a sign-and-trade deal between the Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers was “close to being finalized” before it fell through.

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, the Warriors have proposed multiple trade packages to the Clippers based on expiring contracts, young players and an unprotected 2027 first-round pick.

The Clippers wanted a deal with Jonathan Kuminga, but the Warriors were hesitant to move the 22-year-old because they see him as a big part of their future. George eventually signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Golden State was also involved in trade talks with the Utah Jazz about Lauri Markkanen before he signed a contract extension.

Slater, Shams Charania and Tony Jones reported in August that the Warriors' most aggressive offer for Markkanen focused on Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, pick swaps and second-rounders.

The Kuminga aspect of all these talks is interesting, as the Warriors decided not to sign him to a contract extension before Monday's deadline. Slater noted that the two sides have “never been this close” in negotiations.

NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Pool reported that Kuminga wanted a salary “well in excess” of $30 million per season in an extension. He will be a restricted free agent next summer, with the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards the only teams expected to have significant cap space.

The Warriors could simply bet that Kuminga doesn't want to join a team that is in a long-term rebuild, hoping to potentially keep him at a price closer to what they want to pay him than that , what he expects to offer on the market.

It's a very delicate matter for a Warriors franchise trying to balance winning in the remaining years of Stephen Curry's prime with preparing for the future without an obvious superstar successor.