Karl-Anthony Towns said all the right things during his first few days as a Knick.
He talked about daily improvement, discipline, winning habits.
“I’m here to expand everybody as much as possible,” Towns said Thursday in Charleston, according to WCBD.
If Towns’ words translate to the court, the Knicks (if healthy) should be one of the best teams in the NBA this season.
On offense, New York believes Towns’ perimeter shooting will provide immediate dividends. Opposing bigs will have to guard him on the perimeter, which should open up the paint significantly for New York.
Obviously, the Knicks also believe that Towns’ post-game and ability to play off the dribble will elevate them on offense.
Some of this was exposed in the The Knicks’ preseason opening win over Charlotte, as DJ Zullo shows in these clips..
It’s only a preseason game, but there was early evidence Sunday that Towns will help the Knicks tremendously on offense.
Two interesting sets the Knicks ran for Karl-Anthony Towns
Clip 1 | Wedge screen (Bridges) for the post-up. Towns holds it, Brunson curls it. Nice look of Cities.
Clip 2 | 5 From a gap. Look at the depth Hart and Brunson have. No gap helps interrupt the drive. Weak side cut… pic.twitter.com/fPlw1EHFgz
– DJ (@DJAceNBA) 7 October 2024
THE MINNESOTA THOUGHT
Speaking of early evidence, Donte DiVincenzo looked good in his Timberwolves debut.
We know about the financial implications of trading Cities but from the perspective of Minnesota, economy was not a primary factor in making the agreement.
According to people familiar with the matter, the Timberwolves’ ownership was willing to pay the large amount of luxury tax that would have come with keeping Towns (and re-signing other current players on the roster).
While the ownership situation is in flux, Glen Taylor and the group remains prepared to pay a large amount of tax to fight for a title, through people familiar with the matter.
Those people say the Towns trade was a basketball move first and foremost, and that the Timberwolves feel they improved on the court because of the deal.
If DiVincenzo can replicate his play from 2023-24 and Julius Randle can reproduce his game from January 2024, the Timberwolves will be difficult in the Western Conference.
FOURTEENTH MAN
The Knicks recently checked free agent options regarding signing a new two-way player, according to people familiar with the matter.
New York currently has three two-way players, which is the maximum number allowed on NBA rosters
So the implication of the Knicks’ search for candidates to sign to a two-way deal is that they will convert one of their current two-way players to a standard NBA contract.
Two-way center Ariel Hukporti seems like the most logical candidate.
If Hukporti is converted to a two-way contract, New York will have enough room under the second apron to keep a veteran. Landry Shamet on the roster.
Barring injury, you can expect Shamet to make the regular season roster.
By keeping Shamet and converting Hukporti, the Knicks would have 14 players on traditional NBA contracts that would satisfy NBA roster rules, and they would not have to add a 15th player.
Remember, the Knicks can’t exceed the second apron ($188.9 million) in team salary this season, or it would make sense for them to stick with 14 players on NBA deals for now.
(That’s one reason why there was no path for Marcus Morris Sr. to make the regular season roster after the Towns trade.)
