The New York Knicks haven’t performed to the championship standard that many expect them to over the past 10 games. Since the start of 2026, the team has struggled with a 2-8 record. Some blame coach Mike Brown for the Knicks’ challenges. However, former NBA star DeMarcus Cousins pointed out that the blame should be put on star big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
Brown has been in the hot seat for his interaction with Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green. On the Knicks’ 126-113 loss against the Warriors on Jan. 15, Green hugged the former assistant coach during the game. Towns was shooting his free throws before the end of the first half, and the four-time All-Star acknowledged the coach.
On Wednesday’s episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” however, Cousins shut down the criticism of Brown’s hug with Green. Instead, he told the critics to blame Karl-Anthony Towns, amid the team’s four-game losing streak.
“If anybody y’all should be mad at, it should be KAT,” Cousins said. “He should be defending himself. Stop letting these players punk you, bro… If you want to be angry at anybody, it should be KAT. Get up, and stand up for yourself.
Boogie Cousins on KAT:
"Stop letting these players punk you bro… the scouting report is to punk KAT, don't you guys know that?"@MichelleDBeadle | @boogiecousins | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/9naiLoMm9l
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 21, 2026
“The scouting report is to punk KAT.”
Because of Towns’ defensive lapses, opposing teams often target him. The Knicks star is in his 11th NBA season, but he still hasn’t improved as a defender, making him a weakness on that end.
The Knicks have reportedly discussed trades for Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t played like a star for the Knicks this season. Compared to his numbers last season, Towns’ production has gone down. His decline has led the organization to discuss potential trades ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“Whispers around the league have begun to speculate on the possibility of the Knicks moving Towns,” Steve Popper of Newsday wrote. “His name surfaced when the Bucks and Knicks discussed the chance of a deal involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, but now league sources said that talks have involved other teams, including Memphis, Orlando and Charlotte.”
Since then, there have been no updates on whether the Knicks are willing to trade KAT.
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