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[Saba Sports News] When the Knicks traded for Karl-Anthony Towns, it sent shockwaves through the NBA, especially for Jalen Brunson. After falling short of the Eastern Conference Finals, the team made a big upgrade. Brunson hinted at KAT’s potential impact, saying, “He’s going to be a great piece once he gets here, and then we’ll go from there.”
The Knicks had a solid center rotation last season with Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson, though Robinson missed time due to a knee injury. While Hartenstein filled in well, few centers can offer what Towns does—his mix of shooting, ball-handling, playmaking, and post-up skills is rare.
Playing alongside Rudy Gobert the last two seasons forced KAT to power forward, limiting his dominance in the paint.
Now, with the Knicks, there’s plenty of space for Towns to operate. He’ll join Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart in a starting lineup that can spread the floor with efficient three-point shooting.
The potential two-man game between Brunson and KAT is especially intriguing, as Towns isn’t just a rim-runner like Robinson but a versatile scorer. This dynamic could lead to more pick-and-pop opportunities and a strong inside-out offensive presence.
There are some concerns about defense, though. While Brunson held his own, he relied on Robinson’s rim protection, and KAT hasn’t proven to be an elite defender at the rim. Though he’s improved, his defense may not match what’s needed to win at the highest level.
Still, reuniting with coach Tom Thibodeau, Towns is expected to be a focal point of the offense alongside Brunson, making the Knicks a team to watch despite any defensive questions.