Does Karl-Anthony Towns trade make Knicks a championship contender?

The Knicks are fully committed. After landing Karl-Anthony Towns in a surprise blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York is all in on competing for a championship.

After acquiring Towns and Mikal Bridges this offseason, New York’s cupboard is nearly bare. The core is set. Jalen Brunson is the team’s star with Towns as a complementary star. Bridges and OG Anunoby are complementary two-way wings. On the periphery are Josh Hart, Miles McBride and oft-injured center Mitchell Robinson.

The Knicks gave up a good amount to get Towns. Julius Randle was a three-time All-Star. Donte DiVincenzo broke the club’s franchise record for three-pointers made in a season. The first-round pick that New York sent to Minnesota via Detroit could have some value if the Pistons become a playoff team in the next couple of years.

The trade for Towns is really about Brunson. The Brunson-Randle partnership never felt symbiotic despite both players finding a good balance just before Randle’s season-ending shoulder injury in January.

They had a “your turn, my turn” style of play when on the floor together. Randle rarely screened for Brunson, partially because the Knicks always had a center clogging up the paint.

But Brunson and Towns together should be what the Knicks offense is built around. Towns’ three-point shooting is dangerous and should free up opportunities for Brunson to attack in space.

The seven-footer is just a shade under 40 percent from three during his career and knocked down 41.6 percent from three on 327 attempts last season. If teams switch a pick and roll, Towns can mash smaller defenders in the post, face up and attack line drives as well.

Towns’ presence should open up opportunities for New York’s other players too. Anunoby and Bridges are two of the best corner three-point shooters in the NBA and above average as off-the-ball cutters. The gravity that Brunson and Towns have should create looks for them.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during game one of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at…

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Author : SNY

Publish date : 2024-09-28 19:23:21

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