The recent trade that brought Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks has thrilled NBA fans. In this deal, the Knicks sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and a first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Towns. This move is part of the Knicks’ plan to strengthen their team and perform better in the Eastern Conference, particularly against tough competitors like the Boston Celtics.
Austin Rivers, a former Los Angeles Clippers player, shared his opinion on the trade, explaining how Towns is a better option than Randle for the Knicks. On Bill Simmons’ podcast, he said, “Karl-Anthony Towns is an upgrade from Julius Randle… His abilities align with what they [Knicks] need in terms of spacing the floor.”
Rivers explained that Karl-Anthony Towns’ quick decision-making and shooting ability can lead to smoother offensive plays for New York. He pointed out that Randle tends to dribble too much, which can disrupt the flow of the game: “You have a big that’s going to be able to do that. Pick-and-pop game with Jalen Brunson is gonna be fantastic.”
He also said, “Karl is highly skilled, doesn’t need the ball in his hands a lot. He’s gonna shoot or he’s gonna make a move right away.”
How Karl-Anthony Towns Could Bring Fluidity To The New York Knicks Offense While Strengthening Their Defense
Austin Rivers noted that Randle is a hardworking offensive player who relies on various moves to score, which can be time-consuming and energy-draining. In contrast, adding Towns would allow the Knicks to implement a more fluid offense, as Randle is often viewed as a ball-stopper who disrupts the team’s rhythm.
“Julius is a guy who throw the ball down to and you gotta watch take his time. He takes time to get his basket, he needs rhythm dribbles, multiple jab fakes, multiple pump fakes,” said Rivers.
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Last season, Karl-Anthony Towns had impressive numbers, averaging 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. He shot 50.4% from the field and 41.6% from three-point range, both of which are career highs for him.
His free throw percentage was also strong at 87.3%, showing how efficient he is as a scorer. These stats show that he is a versatile big man who can help spread the floor, making him a great fit next to star guard Jalen Brunson.
Towns also add valuable defensive skills to the Knicks. His defensive rating of 108.7 last season placed him among the top defenders in the league. His ability to contribute on both ends of the court is important for a team looking to be more competitive in the playoffs.
