Knicks Addition of Karl-Anthony Towns Makes Them Threat to Celtics

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns reacts to a play during Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas on May 28, 2024. Julio Cortez/AP Photo

The New York Knicks boosted their roster by acquiring All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, who could push them atop the Eastern Conference and past the defending champion, Boston Celtics.

Towns, who played the last nine seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, is not only a force inside the paint but can also make adept moves beyond the arc. He will also create opportunities for fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson, who likes to drive to the basket.

Towns, 28, fills the void at center with Mitchell Robinson sidelined following ankle surgery.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks family,” Knicks President Leon Rose said in a statement. “Karl-Anthony brings a skill set that is unique to the game of basketball. He possesses a blend of playmaking, shooting, rebounding, and defending that in combination with his size allows him to compete at a level that is rare in this league.”

The addition of Towns was part of a three-team trade between New York, Minnesota, and Charlotte.

The Knicks acquired Towns from Minnesota and the draft rights to James Nnaji from the Hornets. The Timberwolves acquired Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a future first-round pick from the Knicks. The Hornets acquired Charlie Brown, DaQuan Jeffries, Duane Washington Jr., two future second-round picks from the Knicks, and a 205 second-round pick from the Timberwolves.

Towns was selected by the Timberwolves with the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft from Kentucky and was named Rookie of the Year, averaging 18.3 points and 10.5 rebounds. He is a four-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA third team.

Last season, Towns started 62 games for Minnesota and averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and three assists. He also shot 41.6 percent from 3-point range—the second-highest percentage of his career.

His size—7-foot, 248 pounds—makes him an imposing figure inside the paint. Towns also has the athleticism to get up and down the court.

“Karl-Anthony has demonstrated throughout his career to be a high caliber player and person on and off the court who will complement the type of team and culture we continue to build in New York,” Rose said in a statement.

Overall, Towns has averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks over 34.0 minutes in 573 games (all starts) over nine seasons.

He is Minnesota’s all-time leader in three-pointers made (975) and ranks second in points (13,121), rebounds (6,216), blocks (721), field goals made (4,821), and free throws made (2,504).

The Knicks are hoping he brings that same prowess to Madison Square Garden. New York is looking for its first NBA championship since 1973.

In addition to Towns at center and Brunson at point guard, the rest of the Knicks’ projected starting lineup could consist of shooting guard Mikal Bridges, small forward OG Anunoby, and power forward Josh Hart.

The question is whether Towns’s addition can get the Knicks past the Celtics. Boston finished last season with the best regular-season record in the NBA, 64–18, and won its 18th title—the most in league history. Boston is the favorite to repeat as NBA champions.

The Celtics will have a formidable lineup again this season, with one of the NBA’s best-starting backcourts, Jrue Holiday, and one of the NBA’s best defensive players, Derrick White.

Boston’s frontcourt will be a challenge for the Knicks and the rest of the league with forwards Jaylen Brown, the 2024 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP, and Jayson Tatum. Five-time All-Star Al Horford will get the start at center.

The Knicks will see how they stack up against Boston in the NBA’s regular-season opener on Oct. 22. On that night, the Celtics will raise the championship banner that the Knicks hope to take from them this season.