After another losing season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl-Anthony Towns said all the right things about wanting to stay long-term. He even used the names of Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan with a desire to be a “one team” guy for his entire career. But losing wears people down. Even with three years left on his contract, trade speculation is naturally attached to Towns’ name when talk about his future comes up.

The Portland Trail Blazers may be headed for an offseason teardown after another early playoff exit. Head coach Terry Stott might be gone. Teams are already calling them about the possibility of trading for Damian Lillard. But there’s a case for them to move the other direction, and shake things up with a notable deal to add someone.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was full of NBA trade rumors on Friday morning’s edition of “First Take”. He also reported that six or seven teams had already called the Trail Blazers about trading for Lillard. Trading for Towns would be a move for Portland to significantly upgrade on Jusuf Nurkic and Enes Kanter at center. They’d then have a star trio, with Towns joining Lillard and CJ McCollum. Assuming McCollum isn’t traded of course. Making a notable deal for a new star might quell any frustration Lillard has lingering this offseason.

Could the Trail Blazers really get Karl-Anthony Towns?

Portland may want Towns, and they should want him if he can be acquired. But it takes two to tango in order to get a trade done, and the Timberwolves probably aren’t entertaining trading their star big man this offseason. A year from now, and after another bad season? for the team, things might be different. Towns’ tune could change. The Timberwolves may have to re-consider what their plan is, and his place in it. Stephen A. didn’t put a timeline on when Towns could land in Portland, just that his source mentioned it as a “maybe”. It wouldn’t necessarily have to be this offseason.