Towns is the only player on this list to be a part of an NBA Championship team. He has been a key piece for the Minnesota Timberwolves and will look to continue his production for years to come under new head coach, Tom Thibodeau. Towns can potentially have one more great year before he takes off after winning many championships in Minnesota.
The “karl anthony towns trade” is a question that has been asked by many people. The franchise needs to get Karl-Anthony Towns to the playoffs in order for him to be happy and productive.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are having one of their best seasons in recent memory. The T-Wolves look to be onto something with the combo of star center Karl-Anthony Towns and rising guard Anthony Edwards.
But what can the team do before the trade deadline to ensure Towns a playoff berth?
Towns and Edwards seem to be driving a Wolves comeback.
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns stands during the national anthem before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. | Getty Images/Soobum Im
For the first time since Kevin Garnett led the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2004, Minnesota seems to be locked into a postseason berth.
With a 22-22 record as of Jan. 19, the Timberwolves sit fifth in the Western Conference. They’re just one game behind the Nuggets in sixth place and three behind the Mavericks in fifth place.
The Los Angeles Lakers, on the other hand, are 22-22, and the Clippers are just a half-game behind (although the Clips could be without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George the rest of the season).
In terms of statistics, Towns’ finest season as a pro may not be 2021-22. He has a 24.5 point, 9.2 rebound, 3.6 assist, and 2.3 stock average (steals plus blocks). With shooting splits of 52/41/81, he’s also been his usual efficient self.
But there’s something different this year about Minnesota’s franchise player that goes beyond the stat sheet. KAT has always been one of the NBA’s most offensively capable big men, but he looks to be more aggressive than in the past.
This year, he’s focused more on defense and playing bully-ball in the post, as he said in an article for The Athletic:
Towns stated, “I believe it’s something I need to use a bit more.” “Everyone knows I’m a photographer, but you can’t just be a one-dimensional person.”
Outside of one awful Jimmy Butler season, Edwards has been a surprise as well, maybe the finest running companion the Kentucky product has ever had.
The second-year guard is averaging 22.2 points per game and has improved his shooting percentages from last season, shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three.
Minnesota has a solid basis on which to develop. It’s just a question of arranging the right pieces in the appropriate places around KAT and Ant-Man now.
A facilitating point guard and a defensive-minded big man are on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ trade deadline want list.
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D’Angelo Russell has been the albatross next to Towns, and now much more so with Edwards in the fold.
The former Ohio State standout has always been more of a scorer than a facilitator, more of a combination player than a traditional point guard.
Russell, to his credit, is attempting to find his position among Minnesota’s two cornerstones. For the second time in his seven-year career, he’s averaging seven assists per game, but he’s behind both in terms of scoring.
Towns and Edwards, on the other hand, would benefit with a lower-usage, more passive floor general. Ben Simmons, if the Wolves can tear him away from Philadelphia, is the white whale. Goran Dragic of Toronto may be a good fit, while Denver’s Facundo Campazzo could be a fun addition.
Even if he’s only a backup to Russell, Campazzo has showed glimpses of passing flair and playmaking ability, and he’s taking less than six shot attempts per game in 22.2 minutes with the Nuggets, leaving plenty of opportunity for Minnesota’s two stars to continue to control the offense.
A rim-protecting big who would enable Towns to play more on the perimeter in bursts should be on the T-Wolves’ wish list as well.
Jarred Vanderbilt, a 22-year-old forward, is the closest Minny has right now, but the 6-foot-9 big isn’t the best match. According to Bleacher Report, Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton has suddenly become disposable for the Nets, making him the greatest choice available right now.
Both Campazzo and Claxton would be inexpensive rotation players that would match the Timberwolves’ requirements surrounding Towns. Minnesota should take the time to look into the market for both of them.
Towns and the Timberwolves have a potential to make a postseason splash with the proper acquisitions.
two times in a row
Ant – 21 pts. / 3 reb. / 3 ast. KAT – 20 pts. / 5 reb. / 3 ast. DLo – 17 pts. / 2 reb. / 4 ast. Jaylen – 14 pts. / 6 reb. / 3 ast. Malik – 10 pts. / 3 reb. Naz – 9 pts. / 3 reb. / 2 ast. Jaden – 8 pts. / 3 reb. PatBev – 7 pts. / 5 reb. / 6 ast. pic.twitter.com/XQycH8TVpu
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 19, 2022
KAT has made one playoff appearance halfway through his eighth season. The Wolves made the playoffs as the Western Conference’s eighth seed in 2018, only to be eliminated in seven games by the Houston Rockets.
Towns is well aware that, at this stage in his career, he hasn’t done enough to carry the franchise. That is his obligation, and he is aware of it, and he is attempting to shift the narrative.
“I have to develop in order for this team to grow,” Towns stated in the Athletic feature. “This season, I’ve got to become better and better and better.”
KAT has a distinct personality, and he seems to be bringing a new level of enthusiasm to his game. If he keeps doing that — and receives a little more aid — he should make the playoffs for the second time in his career, with a far higher chance of going deep this time.
NBA.com provided all data.
RELATED: Anthony Edwards Earns $10.2 Million But Continues to Use Outdated Technology: ‘That’s My Baby,’ says the narrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wrong with Karl-Anthony Towns?
A: Karl-Anthony Towns is an NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. His right shoulder has been in a sling since before his rookie season, and hell miss at least four weeks while trying to rehabilitate it.
Where does Karl-Anthony Towns rank?
A: Karl-Anthony Towns is ranked number one and he has the highest career points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks on this list.
Does Karl-Anthony Towns want out of Minnesota?
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