The Zach Lowe Show (Jan 20, 2026)

Knicks May Have a KAT Problem. Plus, Butler Injury Fallout & Trade Deadline Preview

Host: Zach Lowe
Guest: Kurt Goldsberry
Duration: ~95 min
Podcast: The Ringer

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a dramatic and news-packed week in the NBA: Jimmy Butler’s devastating ACL tear, the unraveling Warriors, the complex realities of the upcoming trade deadline, and most sharply, the crisis enveloping the New York Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns. Zach and Kurt do a wide-ranging survey: breaking news, the trade market, analytic deep-dives, team chemistry, and All-Star picks, with their signature wit and candor.

Major Topics & Timestamps

1. Jimmy Butler’s ACL Injury & Implications [00:06–10:29]
2. The Warriors' Shift from Contention to Reset [05:59–13:31]
3. NBA Trade Landscape & Kaminga’s Future [10:29–15:44]
4. Spotlight on Giannis, Bucks' Urgency, and the Nuclear Deadline [15:44–23:00]
5. Ja Morant & Grizzlies Turmoil [23:00–32:31]
6. Knicks’ Meltdown and Karl-Anthony Towns Scrutiny [34:47–55:56]
7. Trade Deadline Rapid-Fire: Pistons, Celtics, and Other Contenders [55:56–63:21]
8. Western Conference Check-in (Mavs, Lakers, etc.) [63:21–75:07]
9. Pelicans, Magic, Hornets, and Utah's Tanking [75:07–78:18]
10. All-Star Picks and Notably Snubbed Players [81:00–93:15]

Detailed Topic Breakdown

1. Jimmy Butler’s Injury Fallout [00:06–10:29]

• Breaking News: Overnight, Butler suffered a catastrophic ACL tear during the Warriors’ win over the Heat.

  • “Jimmy Butler was having an awesome year. Underrated. Awesome player as always.” — Zach [00:06]
  • “As a 36-year-old player who’s made the NBA a lot better for many years… it’s just sad.” — Kurt [04:47]

• Ripple Effects:

  • Effectively ends Golden State’s last “frisky” window with Curry.
  • Raises challenging questions for the Warriors’ current plans, possibly ending their last best shot with the Curry-Draymond core.
  • Recovery likely to extend well into next season, meaning “this isn’t just a one-season problem.” — Zach [05:59]

• Warriors’ Organization:

  • “This clarifies for the Warriors, like, we can’t do any buy-now, win-this-season moves.” — Zach [08:47]
  • Trade rumors involving Jonathan Kaminga, with relationship “fractured beyond repair” per Shams, and low enthusiasm for a Kaminga–DeRozan swap.

2. Warriors Resigned to Mediocrity [10:29–15:44]

• Asset Management:
  • Kurt: “You don’t want to start throwing good money after bad... There are teams much healthier and younger ahead of you.” [08:47]
  • Zach: “I don’t think there’s a long-term marriage here to be salvaged [with Kaminga].”
• Future Outlook:
  • Warriors might stand pat, look at future blockbusters (Giannis, Anthony Davis) only if seismic market-shifting moves occur.
  • “You just gotta hope for a miracle in the offseason, I think.” — Zach [13:13]

3. Bucks, Giannis, and Nuclear Outcomes [15:44–23:00]

• State of Play:

  • Giannis’ extension/possible trade looms. “Summer is always the most likely place where this really hits the road.” — Zach [16:30]
  • Bucks actively weighing win-now moves versus blowing it up; have few assets left, impatient front office.

• Potential Trade Targets (none electrifying):

  • Michael Porter Jr., Zach LaVine, John Morant—none are transformative.

• Bigger Picture:

  • “Their aggressive posture got them a championship but also left their cupboard bare.” — Zach
  • “All you need to know is when Giannis is on the court, they profile like a contender; when he’s off... a lottery team.” — Kurt [19:04]

4. Ja Morant & Grizzlies Market [23:00–32:31]

• Ja’s Fluctuating Value:
  • No real suitors currently, due to on/off-court concerns and a difficult CBA trade market.
  • “The amount of risk you have to absorb to take it on is too much for a lot of these teams to bear.” — Kurt [23:00]
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. is drawing speculative interest but not actively shopped.
  • “For a player who is one of my favorite to watch when he does play—it’s as much Days of Our Lives as NBA basketball, and I’m sick of it.” — Kurt [23:00]

5. Knicks’ Crisis: The KAT Problem [34:47–55:56]

• Atmosphere of Disaster:

  • Zach in MSG as the Knicks get “booed off the floor” in blowout loss to the Mavericks. [34:47]
  • “The team I saw last night was broken, discombobulated, fractured... a big, big problem for the Knicks.” — Zach [39:35, 37:47]
  • Key stats: 2–9 in last 11 games, dropped from top of East to clinging to 3rd.

• Chemistry and Effort Issues:

  • “If I don’t like you, why am I playing hard? Somebody’s gotta go.” — Vince Carter (via NBC halftime) [39:35]
  • “The best explanation is… these dudes don’t give a shit right now.” — Kurt [39:35]

• KAT as Center of Drama:

  • Towns getting booed, “a magnet for scrutiny” with “lurchy” drives, defense issues.
  • “Is his defense a problem? Absolutely. We all knew it would be.” — Zach [52:22]
  • Speculation over whether the Knicks could salary-dump Towns or blow up the roster.

• Market Perspective:

  • “Some team with a win-now mandate will make a surprising trade just to shake up their chemistry.” — Zach [41:59]
  • Consensus: The Knicks have a “KAT problem” — not enough defense, not enough chemistry, unsure of offensive structure.

6. Trade Deadline Rapid-Fire (Pistons, Celtics, Etc.) [55:56–63:21]

• Detroit Pistons:

  • May be content to stand pat despite lacking shooting. “They can clearly make the Finals as is … Maybe they'll do nothing and save their chips.” — Zach [55:56]
  • “If they make a move, it’s for a second scorer and a shooter. But could also just stick with their tough defensive brand.” — Kurt [58:32]

• Celtics:

  • Looking to buy at the deadline, need for more frontcourt depth. Names like Gafford mentioned.
  • “I could see a path for them to get very good if they just bolster that front court a little bit.” — Kurt [62:55]

7. Western Conference Hot Spots [63:21–75:07]

• Dallas Mavericks:

  • Trade logistics muddied by a lack of decision-makers, making big moves unlikely.
  • “No clear architect. … For that reason, I’m out [on them being active].” — Kurt [65:51]

• Lakers:

  • Currently stagnant, lacking chemistry. “Not the Showtime Lakers, the complain time Lakers…” — Kurt [68:44]
  • Most likely to stand pat or make a token move. LeBron’s future looms large.

8. Fast-Tracking the Middle [75:07–80:36]

• Charlotte Hornets:

  • Lamelo Ball and Brandon Miller forming a potent offensive identity.
  • “Stat of the day: Best offense in the NBA over the last 15 games.” — Kurt [73:31]
  • Zach: “I’m not dumping LaMelo just to reset. If you want him, give me real stuff.” [73:31]

• Utah Jazz:

  • Markkanen’s prime being wasted by repetitive tanking cycles. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a player in his prime wasted like this.” — Zach [75:26]

9. All-Star Starters, Reserves, and Snubs [81:00–93:15]

• Reserves Highlights:

  • East: Mitchell, Johnson, Porter Jr., Duran, Siakam, Powell, Barnes/Franz (Magic).
  • West: Murray, Ant, Shengoon, Durant, Holmgren, Abdia/Booker, Kawhi.
  • “It’s shocking to me [Jamal] Murray hasn’t been an All-Star before. Let’s get that corrected.” — Kurt [83:57]

• LeBron Debate:

  • “Is LeBron one of the 12 best American players? I don’t think that's true anymore.” — Zach [88:46]
  • Still expected to make the team “because the All-Star Game needs LeBron James.” [90:06]

• Quirky All-Star Voting:

  • Players’ ballot sees Alperen Sengun rank 32nd, far below where his season merits—“What did Shengoon do to all these people?” — Zach [91:43]
  • “Players can go rogue... classic political science: The best argument against democracy is a conversation with an average voter.” — Kurt [90:50]

10. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Brooklyn: “Cat is a magnet for scrutiny. His drives just look lurchy and silly and he falls all the time… he’s a minus on defense.” — Zach [52:22]
• On the Warriors' Dilemma: “The Chase Center is the house that Steph built. Joe Lacob and Peter Guber would like you to think it’s the house that their business genius built.” — Zach [14:56]
• On Knicks' Locker Room:
  • “There's some friction in this locker room that has to be ironed out.” — Tracy McGrady, via Kurt [40:00]
• Knicks fans: “Knicks fans are first class, awesome fans. When the Knicks cut the lead to 23, the building came alive. They want to love this team.” — Zach [47:56]
• On the All-Star process: “Some take it very seriously, some apparently do not.” — Zach, on player voting [90:31]

Bottom Line: Episode Flow and Value

Zach and Kurt pull no punches dissecting the Knicks’ malaise, pulling back the curtain on the trade market’s politics and realities, and providing granular analysis on player value and team-building philosophy. Their All-Star debate showcases the ever-blurry line between honor and performance—and their humor about NBA democracy shines in the player-voting breakdown.

Who should listen:
Diehard NBA fans, Knicks enthusiasts, trade deadline speculators, and anyone intrigued by locker room dynamics and league-wide machinations.

Segment Guide with Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|------------------| | Jimmy Butler ACL/Fallout | 00:06–05:59 | | Warriors: Kaminga/Buy/Sell Decision | 05:59–13:31 | | NBA Trade Market Overview | 13:31–15:44 | | Giannis & the Bucks’ Fork in Road | 15:44–23:00 | | Ja Morant & Grizzlies’ Mess | 23:00–32:31 | | Knicks Collapse & KAT Problem | 34:47–55:56 | | Eastern Contenders: Pistons, Celtics, etc. | 55:56–63:21 | | Mavs, Lakers, Others | 63:21–75:07 | | Hornets, Jazz, Pelicans Roundup | 75:07–78:18 | | All-Star Picks & Odd Voting | 81:00–93:15 |

Final Thoughts

This episode blends real-time NBA news with sharp, detailed trade deadline speculation and keen psychoanalysis of both rosters and organizations. Zach and Kurt balance laughter, candor, and insight, making even the Knicks’ bleakest moment feel urgent and interesting. Highly recommended for anyone aiming to understand both the "what" and "why" behind this year’s NBA drama.