Karl-Anthony Towns was clearly blindsided by the trade that landed him on the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and other moving parts, ending his nine-year run with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“Shocked,” he told reporters when asked about his initial reaction to the news. “Shocked. Maybe the word flabbergasted is more correct. Just shocked.”
That said, Towns added that his prior relationship with Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached him for two-and-a-half years in Minnesota, should help him better adjust in the New York lineup.
“I think it gives us a little bit of a head start,” Towns told reporters. “I know the offense he likes to run. I know the way he likes to play defense and what he expects from his players.”
Towns will join Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby in what should be a ridiculous starting five, at least on the offensive end. The Knicks will be able to space the floor, with all five players a legit threat to hit shots from beyond the arc, opening up driving lanes for Brunson.
The 28-year-old Towns saw his offensive role diminish in recent years given the rise of superstar Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, though he still averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game last year, shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three while earning his fourth All-Star Game nod.
He should provide the Knicks with a solid No. 2 option on offense behind Brunson, and the pick-and-pop pairing between the two will be fun.
There are other concerns following the trade, of course. Towns is hardly a dynamic force on the defensive end, an issue for the defensively minded Thibodeau, though perhaps the presence of Hart, Bridges and Anunoby will alleviate some of those concerns.
The Knicks are also pretty thin outside of the starting group, especially while Mitchell Robinson remains shelved with a foot injury. Heading into the season, the second unit looks likely to be some combination of Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Precious Achiuwa, rookie Pacôme Dadiet and Jericho Sims.
That…isn’t great.
Granted, the Boston Celtics rode a fantastic starting five to a title last season despite limited depth behind it. Whether the Knicks have a starting group that can match the talent of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, however, remains to be seen.
Still, excitement is high in the Big Apple after the offseason additions of Towns and Bridges. The Knicks are clearly going all in, hoping to finally end a championship drought that dates back to the 1972-73 season.
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