Knicks Notes: How Karl-Anthony Towns fared in preseason opener; why Minnesota made the trade

Karl-Anthony Towns has said all the right things during his first few days as a Knick.

He’s talked about daily improvement, discipline, winning habits.

“I'm just here to amplify everybody as much as possible,” Towns said on Thursday in Charleston, per 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 that Towns’ perimeter shooting will provide immediate dividends. Opposing bigs will have to guard him at the perimeter, which should open up the paint significantly for New York.  

Obviously, the Knicks also believe Towns’ post game and ability to play off the dribble will lift them on offense. 

Some of that was on display in the Knicks’ preseason opening win over Charlotte, as DJ Zullo shows in these clips..

It's just a preseason game, but there was early evidence on Sunday that Towns will help the Knicks immensely on offense.

Two interesting sets the Knicks ran for Karl-Anthony Towns

Clip 1 | Wedge screen (Bridges) for the post-up. Towns keeps it, Brunson curls it. Nice look from Towns.

Clip 2 | 5 Out spacing. Look it the depth Hart and Brunson have. No gap help to disrupt the drive. Weakside cut… pic.twitter.com/fPlw1EHFgz

— DJ (@DJAceNBA) October 7, 2024

This is tough to defend.

Good to Great shooters spacing. Josh Hart setting a solid screen. Brunson was lethal pulling up out of a high ball screen last season in that area of the floor. https://t.co/oWq0ggGyfr pic.twitter.com/wKe62bz5sU

— DJ (@DJAceNBA) October 7, 2024

MINNESOTA'S THINKING

Speaking of early evidence, Donte DiVincenzo looked good in his Timberwolves debut.

We know about the financial implications of trading Towns, but from Minnesota’s perspective, finances were not a primary factor in making the deal.

Per people familiar with the matter, the Timberwolves’ ownership was prepared 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 remain willing to pay a large amount of tax to contend for a title, per 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 replicate his play from January 2024, the Timberwolves will be a tough out in the Western Conference.

FOURTEENTH MAN

The Knicks have recently checked in on free agent options with regards to signing a new two-way player, per 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, New York will have enough room under the second apron to keep 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, which would satisfy NBA roster rules, and they would not have to add a 15th player. 

Remember, the Knicks cannot exceed the second apron ($188.9 million) in team salary this season, which is why it would make sense for them to stick with 14 players on NBA deals at the moment. 

(That’s one reason why there was no pathway for Marcus Morris Sr. to make the regular season roster after the Towns trade).