**The Official Karl-Anthony Towns Thread: Part Two**

[Mattya]

No, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just think we all need to understand it isn't a black and white issue.

It isn't MOVE TOWNS FOR NOTHING or GIVE TOWNS TIME HE IS A #2!

We can be critical of him. We can explain in a reasonable manner why Towns is struggling. We can explain why we think Towns will or will not improve.

But, maybe we shouldn't quote one person we agree with and say "Stop using logic in Towns' favor! It doesn't fit the narrative...."

This implies I didn't use Logic, which couldn't be further from the truth. But the poster is Klomp

It is but you didn’t make it that way because you disagree with Klomp. Hold yourself to the same standard.

I don't disagree with Klomp. I disagree with his tone and type of post.

Do you think his type of post is productive?

Yes pointing out logical flaws is productive. Elevating yourself to be above other’s points isn’t.

[Klomp]

I think the biggest problem is composure. Players get under his skin. Refs get under his skin.
The problem is when he faces adversity, he goes 100 miles an hour instead of being cerebral and concentrating on the next play, where he needs to be, and his technique. Tries too hard to punish little guys if they get the best of him a time or two.
Misses a couple shots or makes a turnover and tries to make up for it with a 30 footer.
Tries to make a home run pass instead of a hockey assist.
There was one really awful play where he made a no look behind the back outlet pass in the backcourt that easily could have been a turnover.
He's always trying to hit a grand slam when all we need is a single or a walk.

So his biggest negative is that he tries too hard sometimes? Or, like with all of the media stuff, he's too nice of a guy? I'm sorry, but a guy could have a lot worse qualities. Think about the position that Ja Morant has put his franchise into, for example.

[Worm Guts]

I think the biggest problem is composure. Players get under his skin. Refs get under his skin.
The problem is when he faces adversity, he goes 100 miles an hour instead of being cerebral and concentrating on the next play, where he needs to be, and his technique. Tries too hard to punish little guys if they get the best of him a time or two.
Misses a couple shots or makes a turnover and tries to make up for it with a 30 footer.
Tries to make a home run pass instead of a hockey assist.
There was one really awful play where he made a no look behind the back outlet pass in the backcourt that easily could have been a turnover.
He's always trying to hit a grand slam when all we need is a single or a walk.

So his biggest negative is that he tries too hard sometimes? Or, like with all of the media stuff, he's too nice of a guy? I'm sorry, but a guy could have a lot worse qualities. Think about the position that Ja Morant has put his franchise into, for example.

Come on now. The problem is keeping his composure.

[Klomp]

I don't disagree with Klomp. I disagree with his tone and type of post.

Do you think his type of post is productive?

My post might not have been in the best tone, but my intentions are to point out that I see a flaw when people say he's not fitting in. We are already the best defense in the NBA, and Towns is a part of it. Trading away Towns cannot make the defense ranked any higher. Towns is a big reason why we are able to hang with a team like Denver. It creates matchups that teams like that are not able to effectively counter.

Where I see Towns coming through most ideally are going to be on nights where Ant is "off". Having someone who can step up in those situations is critical. And they were both "on" against Utah. That is an example of what this tandem can still do together.

We are Minnesota Timberwolves fans. Why are we griping about having too good of talent?

[Klomp]

I think the biggest problem is composure. Players get under his skin. Refs get under his skin.
The problem is when he faces adversity, he goes 100 miles an hour instead of being cerebral and concentrating on the next play, where he needs to be, and his technique. Tries too hard to punish little guys if they get the best of him a time or two.
Misses a couple shots or makes a turnover and tries to make up for it with a 30 footer.
Tries to make a home run pass instead of a hockey assist.
There was one really awful play where he made a no look behind the back outlet pass in the backcourt that easily could have been a turnover.
He's always trying to hit a grand slam when all we need is a single or a walk.

So his biggest negative is that he tries too hard sometimes? Or, like with all of the media stuff, he's too nice of a guy? I'm sorry, but a guy could have a lot worse qualities. Think about the position that Ja Morant has put his franchise into, for example.

Come on now. The problem is keeping his composure.

And what is the root of that? It comes from him trying too hard.

[Worm Guts]

So his biggest negative is that he tries too hard sometimes? Or, like with all of the media stuff, he's too nice of a guy? I'm sorry, but a guy could have a lot worse qualities. Think about the position that Ja Morant has put his franchise into, for example.

Come on now. The problem is keeping his composure.

And what is the root of that? It comes from him trying too hard.

However you phrase it, it’s a problem. You’re phrasing it in a way to make it sound like less of a problem, then pretending it’s not one. It’s still a problem.

[Klomp]

Come on now. The problem is keeping his composure.

And what is the root of that? It comes from him trying too hard.

However you phrase it, it’s a problem. You’re phrasing it in a way to make it sound like less of a problem, then pretending it’s not one. It’s still a problem.

Because there are a lot bigger problems in the world and even in this league.

[Klomp]

[tweet]1721972900318855485[/tweet]

[Klomp]

What do we think is more likely to continue...?

94 offensive rating (career-worst is 117)
98 defensive rating (career-best is 106)

[Klomp]

A few other notes...
3.5 fouls per 36 is his lowest since 2019-20
2.8 turnovers per 36 is his lowest since 2017-18
1.1 steals per 36 is currently a career high

Through 6 games, Towns already has 0.5 defensive win shares. He has finished above 2.0 defensive win shares just once since 2018-19.

[Calinks]

If Towns didn't have his history or mental issues on the court, I would not be worried at all. The fact that he does and he doesn't seem capable of getting over them does worry me. That said, I think at worst, Towns could just become a kind of role guy on this team who plays solid defense, and hits some big shots and maybe eventually gets sat more often when he's out of control. That would be a disaster and bad but he would still have value with this level of defense and his shot making.

In that scenaro I think we move him eventually and that is not nearly as scary as it was a year ago. This team looks like everyone else fits and it can paly without him. I think we could find another PF who is less skilled overall but a better fit than Towns if he doesn't improve.

Fit can be everything and there are guys I would have never traded Towns for in the past because of his role on our team who actually may be perfect for what we are doing now. We could find someone more mobile, who is more willing to play on the perimeter and take 3's as opposed to wanting more touches and playing inside as much as Towns has.

Towns can also still figure it out and find a role for himself that fits well. Either way I think the team will be good. We don't have to have him anymore to get to where we wanna be.

[Neeva]

His contract is too big for a minimal role. Wolves need to trade him if that becomes the case. Use that 50 million on pieces to build around Ant/Jaden and maybe solidify the defense even more. Hopefully he ups his value before the deadline then Connelly can finally do it. Even if we end up getting role players and picks , those role players could help us in the playoffs and we know we can’t trust Kat in the playoffs.

[Klomp]

Towns can also still figure it out and find a role for himself that fits well. Either way I think the team will be good. We don't have to have him anymore to get to where we wanna be.

This is where I'm at with all of the discourse. I've read people (moreso on Twitter) who say Towns holds us back from being a good or even great team. But he doesn't. As horrible as the season has started on offense for him, the team has still just beaten likely the two best teams in the league. He is not holding the team back.

[guest81]

Towns can also still figure it out and find a role for himself that fits well. Either way I think the team will be good. We don't have to have him anymore to get to where we wanna be.

This is where I'm at with all of the discourse. I've read people (moreso on Twitter) who say Towns holds us back from being a good or even great team. But he doesn't. As horrible as the season has started on offense for him, the team has still just beaten likely the two best teams in the league. He is not holding the team back.

They've won despite of him, not because of him

[cmoss84]

I've been a huge KAT supporter/fan since we drafted him. He is playing some really good defense this year. However, as much as I hate to admit it, it is risky business the longer we keep him on our roster. Is there a chance he turns things around? Of course there is. But right now that contract is ROUGH and just too risky.

Here's my latest brilliant solution: Trade him to Orlando for Suggs, Gary Harris, Isaac, and whatever draft picks we can squeeze out of them.

Gives us a potential PG of the future, some 3pt and athleticism, and a lotto ticket PF. All on short/expiring contracts...and Harris/Isaac have very little $ guaranteed.

[wolves_89]

Towns can also still figure it out and find a role for himself that fits well. Either way I think the team will be good. We don't have to have him anymore to get to where we wanna be.

This is where I'm at with all of the discourse. I've read people (moreso on Twitter) who say Towns holds us back from being a good or even great team. But he doesn't. As horrible as the season has started on offense for him, the team has still just beaten likely the two best teams in the league. He is not holding the team back.

This captures my opinion as well. I don't think KAT has been much of a problem even with the poor start to the season. I look at KAT as being the potential difference between a good playoff team and a title contender. If KAT gets on track this team looks like it could compete with anyone. With that said, I would have no problem moving KAT for the right offer. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any trade proposals that I really believe would make the Wolves better (either now or in the near future).

[jpatrick]

I've been a huge KAT supporter/fan since we drafted him. He is playing some really good defense this year. However, as much as I hate to admit it, it is risky business the longer we keep him on our roster. Is there a chance he turns things around? Of course there is. But right now that contract is ROUGH and just too risky.

Here's my latest brilliant solution: Trade him to Orlando for Suggs, Gary Harris, Isaac, and whatever draft picks we can squeeze out of them.

Gives us a potential PG of the future, some 3pt and athleticism, and a lotto ticket PF. All on short/expiring contracts...and Harris/Isaac have very little $ guaranteed.

I agree with you about the money. As much as people here can say it’s tenable to keep him here financially next year, I don’t see it, especially if we want to keep Conley/Anderson. And I don’t think he is maximized here. If you’re paying someone 50-60m, you need them maximized. I don’t know the trade. I’d love to get a defensive, floor spacing PF on the Ant timeline, like a Jabari Smith, but I don’t see Houston doing that (and financially it’s a non-starter).

I don’t know the trade. I hope KAT rebounds and has a huge season. Then, even if we are forced to make a financial trade at some point, we are going to maximize the return.

I don’t like the Magic deal. Suggs isn’t a PG. He’s going to be, at best, a Marcus Smart type, which is a good player. Just not a PG. And Isaac I wouldn’t touch.

[Klomp]

I will give Dane Moore credit for this observation today. Early last night, he got stripped by Holiday and the Celtics ran down to the other end for a fast break. He doesn't complain to the refs about a foul as normal, but instead went to Jaden and yelled at him for not cutting. As both Dane and Kyle said, that's poor leadership and he just might not be in a great head space at the moment. But then, more to what I've been arguing, even though they may have won last night in spite of Towns or whatever, the foundational importance in the NBA is talent acquisition. You will need Towns at some point this season, and trading him now is not a recipe for franchise success this season.

[Neeva]

I've been a huge KAT supporter/fan since we drafted him. He is playing some really good defense this year. However, as much as I hate to admit it, it is risky business the longer we keep him on our roster. Is there a chance he turns things around? Of course there is. But right now that contract is ROUGH and just too risky.

Here's my latest brilliant solution: Trade him to Orlando for Suggs, Gary Harris, Isaac, and whatever draft picks we can squeeze out of them.

Gives us a potential PG of the future, some 3pt and athleticism, and a lotto ticket PF. All on short/expiring contracts...and Harris/Isaac have very little $ guaranteed.

Liked this post but I don’t want Isaac anywhere near this team.

Maybe NY is better trade option, Quickley, expiring filler( fournier?) and boatload of picks looks better to me. Plus id rather have knicks picks in the future because their core is older than Orlando and they have a chance to be a mess chemistry wise with Randle and I see Brunsons game dropping quickly the closer he gets to 30.

Kat with Orlando’s young core could be really good in the future.

[twolves31]

I've been a huge KAT supporter/fan since we drafted him. He is playing some really good defense this year. However, as much as I hate to admit it, it is risky business the longer we keep him on our roster. Is there a chance he turns things around? Of course there is. But right now that contract is ROUGH and just too risky.

Here's my latest brilliant solution: Trade him to Orlando for Suggs, Gary Harris, Isaac, and whatever draft picks we can squeeze out of them.

Gives us a potential PG of the future, some 3pt and athleticism, and a lotto ticket PF. All on short/expiring contracts...and Harris/Isaac have very little $ guaranteed.

Liked this post but I don’t want Isaac anywhere near this team.

Maybe NY is better trade option, Quickley, expiring filler( fournier?) and boatload of picks looks better to me. Plus id rather have knicks picks in the future because their core is older than Orlando and they have a chance to be a mess chemistry wise with Randle and I see Brunsons game dropping quickly the closer he gets to 30.

Kat with Orlando’s young core could be really good in the future.

“Starting in the playoffs last year, I think the Knicks are a team that’s engaged in a ‘civil war’,” he said. “That war is between the guys that know how to play and the guys that don’t. And I think on one side, you got Brunson. You got the Villanova guys, basically. You got, I believe Grimes, I think Hartenstein is in there. And Mitchell Robinson, by virtue of just, he’s very limited in what he can and can’t do on the floor, so he’s not really asked to make any decisions.
“And then on the other hand, you’ve got Julius Randall, you’ve got RJ Barrett on some bad days. You’ve got Emmanuel Quickley. Guys are just playing emotional, impulse basketball. And you can get through a regular season on impulse basketball. You can’t get anywhere in the playoffs on impulse basketball. You have to be able to be discerning out there.”