Does Minnesota Timberwolves early-season success end Karl-Anthony Towns trade rumors?

Would the Minnesota Timberwolves still be open to trading Karl-Anthony Towns even with their hot start to the season?

As unbelievable as it may be, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the best record in the NBA (15-4) through the first quarter of the season. While there was a belief and hope that the Wolves could take a step forward this season in the Western Conference, I don't think many expected the Wolves to make the jump to the best team in the NBA.

Nevertheless, that's what the Wolves have been through the first 20 games of the season. Even though it would be insane to think that the Wolves are going to remain atop the West standings through the entire season, they have the potential to be a real player heading into the postseason.

On paper, the Wolves have everything you want in a dark horse contender in the league. They have a budding superstar in Anthony Edwards, a few strong supporting pieces in Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mike Conley, and a pretty deep roster.

But as good as the Wolves have been so far this season, there are still questions that remain unanswered about this team's future. The biggest of such being the trade rumors that were surrounding Towns heading into this season.

Would the Minnesota Timberwolves still trade Karl-Anthony Towns?

During the summer and into the start of this season, it was reported that there was some trade interest in Towns and that the Wolves were at least open to shopping him. You can't help but wonder if that has changed after this hot start to the season for the Wolves.

I think the first question you must ask is if anything individually has changed for Towns with his performance. And, in fact, Towns has been improved from last season (which was cut short due to injury). Through the first few weeks of the season, Towns is averaging 22 points and nine rebounds on 50 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from 3-point range.

While it's good that KAT has been improved this season, the issue of his huge contract is still very much an issue. Towns is due $233 million over the next four seasons after this year. That equates to an average of $58 million per season.

It's an interesting question that will likely be answered depending on how the season plays out. But there's a fair argument to be made that Towns might've played his way off the trade block.