As if New York weren’t solidified as a powerhouse already, they commenced a trade that shook the grounds. Karl-Anthony Towns, widely touted among the great shooting centers in league history made his way back home. In an Eastern Conference packed with heat, the Knicks’ starting lineup, equipt with Towns looks daunting. Even though they lost considerable real estate, it’s hard to argue that the trade was unnecessary, considering the Knicks’ lack of a center.

“Terrible trade. Karl is awful. He’s old” a voice from the Philadelphia 76ers said. Don’t worry, it came from one of KAT’s closest NBA friends, Paul George. Since sharing the same agency, they have spent several summers working out with each other. Fighters at heart, practice sessions are always full of smack-talking. To George, Towns is a “little brother”. And after a round of sarcasm, he praised the transcending center for what he can bring to the Knicks.

“KAT is one of the best three-point shooting bigs in probably the history of the league,” George said of his close friend. In particular, that’s the skill of Towns that the Knicks will value the most. With him in the starting lineup, the Big Apple has a legitimate starting five with all players elite at shooting the ball. The general, Jalen Brunson, who is a masterful scorer in the post is bound to relish his increased opportunities to attack guards on the interior.

George too believes it provides the captain of the Knicks with immense advantages. Before having a scoring threat at the five, Brunson led the league in scoring off drives in the postseason, generating 15.8 points per game. With Karl-Anthony Towns, the horizon becomes a lot wider. He has the option to utilize the space Towns provides to get cleaner matchups. Furthermore, in case a double does arise, there will be no hesitation in dishing the ball to the former Wolves center, a 39.8% shooter last season.

Moreover, he is returning to the system of Thibadeau, the coach who cracked the Wolves into the postseason. They didn’t share peace during their first stint. This one though has shown promise for change.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Tom Thibodeau are willing to work with each other

During their days with the Wolves, Towns was still young. Even though an All-Star, he wasn’t used to the toughness that Thibadeau tends to bring to the side. Ultimately, his feud with Jimmy Butler tore the dynamic apart. However, now they are commonplace. The former Wolves center is devoted to winning and whatever comes attached to it.

The first time around. Thibs’ resilience in siding with Butler wasn’t appreciated by Towns. The veteran coach simply saw the now Heat cornerstone being the driver behind their postseason berth. Nothing else. It wasn’t that he didn’t like his young star. There was merely no compromise to be made when it came to winning.

Since their breakup, as Karl-Anthony Towns grew, they have managed to mend their bond. And now back in his system, the 28-year-old feels he has an advantage to adjusting with the star-fueled roster. “I know the offense he likes to run. I know the way he likes to play defense and what he expects from his players” he said during his first media availability.

But even though they share history and Thibs knows him as a player, he understands that his tactics will need to change. Towns recently praised the seasoned HC as one of the best tactical masterminds he has played for when speaking to Shannon Sharpe. With that in mind, the coach is after adjusting quickly, realizing that the former Wolves center is a “different player”. 

That learning curve though shouldn’t be one hard to adapt to. Karl-Anthony Towns exemplifies the physicality and grit that Thibadeau is after on the defensive end. As a screen setter, he has the body to give the ball handler the freedom to move. And then it’s about picking his poison. On the inside, he is fierce and ruthless, and on the perimeter, a sniper.

Having experienced a wave of success in Minnesota, Towns’ perspective has changed. He is used to the demanding environment that Tom Thibodeau brings to a squad. There is also the upliftment that comes with being home and staying close to his family. The New York Knicks have a chance to do wonders with the unit they have.

And Karl-Anthony Towns is ready to roll with this special group.