NBA, how the New York Knicks will change with Towns

Ilast October 2nd, i New York Knicks completed a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets that shook theNBAsecuring the four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns. In this transaction, New York also acquired the rights to young center James Nnaji from the Hornets. In exchange, the Timberwolves received Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a protected 2025 first-round pick. The Hornets, however, received three second-round picks and several players in sign-and-trades, including including Charlie Brown Jr. and DaQuan Jeffries.

Towns will certainly play a fundamental role in the ranks of Knickswho aim to form a competitive team with him, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges as the pillars of a group returning from a season to remember. The arrival of the big man born in ’95 at Tom Thibodeau‘s court offers a fascinating prospect, both tactically and for the overall growth of the team. Towns it is one of the most complete and versatile long men in the NBAcapable of scoring from inside and outside the area, with a very reliable three-point shot for a player of his size (40% average on 4.3 attempts per game in his career). Last season, the first pick in the 2015 draft improved his career high, scoring 62 points on 21/35 from the field and 10/15 from three against the Hornets in January, and was the leading scorer in theAll-Star Game with 50 points.

Will Towns be the icing on the cake for the Knicks?

In a system like that of Thibodeaufocused on defense, his ability to open the field could be fundamental in expanding spaces and creating more opportunities for Jalen Brunson and the various Bridges, Hart, Anunoby, McBride, Payne. His ability in the pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll will provide several tactical options on offense, allowing for Brunson to be even more dangerous both as a creator and as a facilitator.

While Towns has never been an elite defender, the game system of Thibodeaufocused on collective defense and intensity, could improve its limits in its own half. In his years in Minneapolis under the leadership of Thibodeau himself (2016-2019), KAT showed defensive progress. Continuity and application, however, have often been lacking. With a more solid defensive context thanks to players like Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, the Dominican center could find a better balance.

If he can improve his rim protection and pick-and-roll defense, i Knicks they would benefit from a qualitative leap also on this side of the field, so dear to Thibodeau. Not surprisingly, last year New York they placed fifth in the ranking of the teams with the best defense, allowing 108.7 points per game, behind only the Minnesota Timberwolves (106), Orlando Magic (107.4), Boston Celtics (107.6) and Miami Heat (108.1).

Karl-Anthony Towns and Tom Thibodeau reunite in the Big Apple after working together for three years at the Timberwolves. (Source: slamonline.com).

Towns reunites with Thibodeau to rewrite history

With the farewell of Julius Randlewho despite being an excellent player tended to clog up the area, Towns brings a completely different dimension. His ability to play away from the basket will improve offensive spacing, making the offense New York more fluid. Furthermore, the former Timberwolves can take advantage of favorable matchups against less mobile centers, forcing opposing defenses to make difficult choices: leave the perimeter open or sacrifice area protection.

Among the most experienced and talented players on the team (29 years old on November 15th), Towns he spent the majority of his career in a rebuilding environment. With i T’Wolves he only made the playoffs in four out of nine seasons. Arriving in New York therefore represents for him the opportunity to compete at a high level. This fits perfectly with the great ambitions of the Knicks.

Previous three-year experience with a coach Thibodeau could be a crucial factor. While their relationship wasn’t always idyllic in Minnesota, both have gained experience and grown from that time. Thibodeau he knows how to push Towns to the fullest and could use this second opportunity to get the best out of his game. In a more competitive context like that of Knicksthis dynamic could be the key to success.

Julius Randle contests a shot by Karl-Anthony Towns during a game between the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves. (Source: Eurosport).

The Randle era ends, the Towns era begins

After a 50-win season (second place in the East, best result since 2013), the addition of Towns can make others do Knicks the definitive leap in quality. The team has already shown that it can compete in the playoffs, despite the injuries suffered by Bogdanović, Robinson and Randle. New York could finally have all it takes to aspire to that title that has been missing since 1973.

The arrival of Towns in NY adds talent and versatility to an already competitive team. Its integration into the system Thibodeau will be crucial to maximizing his offensive potential. With the departures of Julius Randle e Donte DiVincenzoi Knicks they lose two key elements that contributed to last season’s success. Each with specific characteristics that will need to be compensated for.

Randle he was one of the undisputed leaders of the attack Knicks. His ability to create points, both in isolation and from the low post, has allowed New York to have a solid offensive option in crucial situations. His physical strength and ability to attack the rim have made him a difficult player for opposing defenses to contain. Despite some criticism related to his style of play which sometimes led to stagnation in the attack, Randle he was an essential offensive point of reference for the Knicks. He averaged 24 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last year.

Donte DiVincenzo leaves from the Minnesota Timberwolves: his place among the Villanova Boys in New York will go to Bridges. (Source: NBA.com).

DiVincenzo says goodbye to the Villanova Boys

His ability to take initiative off the dribble made him one of the team’s most reliable weapons Knicks. New York therefore loses a significant dose of scoring and physical presence in the area, elements that Towns will have to replace, albeit with a different style. The challenge will be to maintain offensive balance without overloading Brunson and Bridges with responsibilities. DiVincenzo he was more of a complementary player, but still had a considerable impact.

The ’97 class also demonstrated this in last night’s preseason match, scoring 15 points and 7 assists in the 115-110 defeat of his team Timberwolves at the Garden. His ability to defend multiple positions and his three-point shooting (40% last season) made him essential. DiVincenzoFurthermore, he had a special bond with his former Villanova teammates, Brunson e Hartwith whom he formed the trio dei “Villanova Boys”.

I Knicks they also recently acquired Mikal Bridgesanother Villanova product, who would recreate a group with a strong pre-existing chemistry. The farewell of DiVincenzotherefore, also represents a loss in terms of group cohesion and harmony. His intensity, ability to make “dirty plays” and winning mentality were components that went well with the approach of Thibodeau. While Towns bring next-level talent, the chemistry built between these former Villanova Wildcats will be hard to replicate.

25 points and 12 rebounds against the Washington Wizards in the preseason for Towns in his first game at Madison Square Garden. (Source: Complex Sports).

New York dreams big with Towns

In summary, i Knicks forgive with Randle a pillar of the attack and with DiVincenzo – already NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 – a deadly shooter and an important glue of the team, of which he was the fourth best scorer in 2023-2024 with 15.5 points per game. The challenge will be to find new sources of scoring and defensive intensity, as well as maintaining the harmony and chemistry of the locker room. As often happens in the context of noteworthy trades, the tip of the balance will be the performance of the name around which the trade has been set up, i.e. Townswho last night recorded 16 points and as many rebounds in his first game against Minnesotaalbeit preseason.

Se KAT will be able to prove the detractors wrong and demonstrate that he can take a notable step forward, what he has always lacked until now, the Knicks they could become a formidable opponent even for teams considered more ready to compete to the end. The favourites, however, remain the reigning champions Boston Celtics and dethroning them will not be easy at all. To establish himself in such a context, the big man of the Dominican Republic national team will have to avoid the many excesses that have often put him in the spotlight, both in terms of performances and, above all, attitudes.

Featured photo source: NBA MÉXICO

Dennis Izzo