The CAA grand conspiracy has finally came to fruition in a blockbuster deal that has reshaped the Knicks’ roster once again, acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Knicks sending out Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks front office is pushing all their chips in the middle. The addition of the versatile big man was the type of pairing the Knicks envisioned with star PG Jalen Brunson, and now each are signed for at least the next 3-4 seasons. From enhanced spacing and three-point shooting, to improved rim protection and rebounding, this is the type of trade that is expected to propel the Knicks to a Finals appearance.
Financial Implications
The trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks had significant financial implications for both teams. Towns is set to begin the first season of a four-year, $224 million contract extension that he signed with Minnesota in July 2022. His hefty salary presented a considerable challenge for the Knicks’ salary cap management.
For the 2024-25 season, Towns is expected to carry a cap hit of $49.2 million. This figure alone is approximately $13 million higher than the cap hit of OG Anunoby, currently the second-highest-paid player on the Knicks’ roster. The addition of Towns would push the Knicks closer to the luxury tax threshold. Before the trade, the team was already set to be above the first tax apron for the 2024-25 season. With Towns’ salary on the books, the Knicks would have about $3.6 million left under the second apron. This limited flexibility required careful financial planning from the front office.
Luxury Tax Considerations
The Knicks’ willingness to take on Towns’ contract indicates their commitment to building a competitive team, even if it means paying substantial luxury tax. However, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) imposes strict penalties for teams exceeding certain spending thresholds. Teams in the first apron face restrictions, such as being prohibited from signing bought-out players who were making more than the mid-level exception ($12.8 million) and being unable to take back more money than they send out in trades. The second apron carries even more severe penalties, including the freezing of future draft picks and potential permanent reductions in draft position.
To navigate these constraints, the Knicks have employed creative financial strategies. They used a loophole in the CBA by signing players like DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown Jr., and Duane Washington Jr. to contracts $1 above the minimum salary to facilitate the sign-and-trade deal. This maneuver allowed the team to remain below the second apron despite taking in more salary. Quite a neat little trick by the Knicks.
"This is the most talented Knicks roster we've seen in two decades." 📈
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 3, 2024
—@WindhorstESPN on Karl-Anthony Towns' fit with Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks 👀 pic.twitter.com/WkaxQTgEo5
Leon Rose should have a damn statue. Wow. Go Knicks pic.twitter.com/t4DS4wivhK
— Skip Sayless🇹🇹🇭🇹♒️🗽 (@travbryanmusic) September 28, 2024
In simple terms: I see no reason why the Knicks couldn’t keep Brunson, KAT, Bridges, OG and Hart together for four years. They’re basically positioned to go for it while those guys are in their primes, then re-evaluate what makes sense thereafter in the summer of 2028. https://t.co/igQyKKArQj
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) October 1, 2024
Future Contract Decisions
The acquisition of Towns would have ripple effects on future contract decisions for the Knicks. With Towns under contract until 2027-28, when he has a $61 million player option, the team must carefully consider how to build around this core while managing the salary cap. The trade also impacts decisions regarding other players. For instance, Julius Randle, who was a part of the trade package, was extension-eligible and had a player option worth $30.9 million for the 2025-26 season. His departure provides some financial relief but also creates new considerations for roster construction.
By the 2026-27 season, OG Anunoby and Towns alone would make a combined $99.75 million. With just seven guaranteed players, the team would already be over the cap with a current commitment of over $167 million. This situation becomes more complex when considering the future free agency of players like Mikal Bridges and Mitchell Robinson. The Knicks’ front office has shown a knack for navigating the complex landscape of the NBA’s financial rules. Their ability to maneuver within these constraints will be crucial in maintaining flexibility while fielding a competitive team around Towns and the other core players. Basically, this isn’t possible without Brunson saving the day with his recently signed discounted extension.
Team Chemistry
The Knicks’ front office and coaching staff are banking on Towns’ ability to enhance team chemistry. His versatile skill set, particularly his exceptional outside shooting, has the potential to open up new offensive possibilities for his teammates. This on-court synergy could translate to improved off-court relationships as well. At 27 years old and with nine years of NBA experience, Towns brings a valuable veteran presence to the Knicks’ locker room. His reunion with head coach Tom Thibodeau adds an interesting dimension to his veteran role. Despite reports of a frayed relationship towards the end of their time together in Minnesota, it seems right now both sides are excited about working together again. Oh, and Towns is from New Jersey, and grew up a Knicks fan, so that’s pretty cool too.
Style of Play Evolution
KAT’s addition to the New York Knicks roster brings a significant shift in the team’s style-of-play. His unique skill set as a versatile big man has the potential to transform the Knicks’ offensive approach and create new opportunities for his teammates. Towns’ arrival is set to revolutionize the Knicks’ offensive spacing. His ability to stretch the floor as a center who can shoot from beyond the arc will open up the court in ways the team hasn’t experienced before. You’ll see a lot less iso ball paired with a slower pace.
Players like Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, who like to attack the basket, might see the court and paint area be wide open. Towns’ ability to draw centers out of the paint already provides the improved spacing requited to create more opportunities for offensive rebounds and put defenses in challenging rotations. The Knicks’ offense is likely to evolve into a five-out attack, a stark contrast to their previous setup with more paint-bound centers. This change in offensive geography should benefit players like Jalen Brunson, providing him with more space to operate in the half-court.
Three-Point Shooting
Over the past five seasons, Towns has shot better than 40% from three-point range on nearly six attempts per game. This proficiency from beyond the arc makes him one of the league’s best spot-up shooters, especially considering his size and quick release.
The addition of Towns, combined with the sharpshooting abilities of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, is expected to boost the Knicks’ three-point volume significantly. Anunoby and Bridges have both been highly efficient corner three-point shooters, with Anunoby making 40% of his corner threes in each of the last five seasons, and Bridges shooting 42% from the corners over the same period. This enhanced three-point threat across the lineup should create more space for drives and cuts, potentially leading to higher-quality shots for the entire team.
Brunson & KAT Pick & Roll
The pick-and-roll combination of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns has the potential to become a formidable offensive weapon for the Knicks. Both players are known for their shooting accuracy and footwork, creating a dual threat that defenses will find challenging to contain.
The Brunson-Towns duo is expected to set picks far beyond the three-point arc. Few pick-and-roll combinations in the league feature both a ball handler and a screener capable of pulling up from 28 feet out. This long-range threat could force defenders to cover more ground, potentially opening up opportunities for other players like Bridges and Anunoby in the corners. As the Knicks integrate Towns into their system, the evolution of their style of play will be crucial to watch. The combination of improved spacing, enhanced three-point shooting, and a potentially lethal pick-and-roll game could elevate the Knicks’ offense to new heights, making them a more formidable contender in the Eastern Conference.
Opening Tip-Off
The Leon Rose grand scheme is damn near complete following the arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns. Brick by brick the Knicks now have their Point Guard, elite wings and now their man in the middle. That first Brunson-Towns pick-and-roll duo is going to hit harder than the crack epidemic. Despite departing fan favorites and the financial implications, the Knicks core is locked up for the next 3-4 years. The front office faces challenges in managing the salary cap but have found built an absolute force of a roster for the opening night of the 2024-2025 season.
Leave A Comment