The New York Knicks appear to have struck gold with their bold offseason acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns, who has transformed into the cornerstone player the franchise has long sought. In a blockbuster trade that sent Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop, and a heavily protected first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Knicks have rejuvenated their squad—and the results have been spectacular.
Towns is thriving in his return to the center position, putting up a remarkable stat line of 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. His dominance has been key to propelling the Knicks to a 29-16 record, placing them third in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.
Shaquille O’Neal’s High Praise
Even Shaquille O’Neal, notoriously critical of modern big men, couldn’t help but applaud Towns’ stellar performances. During TNT’s halftime show on Tuesday, Shaq admitted, “This year, I have nothing bad to say about him. Love the way he’s playing the game. He’s playing like a true big man.”
Shaq’s approval is particularly notable given his reputation for demanding physicality and dominance from centers. He praised Towns for stepping up in New York, despite initial skepticism about how the move would pan out. “He’s playing excellent ball right now,” Shaq added. “I’m glad he’s playing well because I was a little worried about him going to New York, but he’s stepping up.”
A Return to Dominance
Towns’ resurgence has been a revelation. After years of adjusting to the Timberwolves’ roster dynamics, including sharing the frontcourt with Rudy Gobert, the 29-year-old has returned to his natural center position and rediscovered his dominance. His shooting splits of 54% from the field, 44% from three, and 84% from the free-throw line highlight his ability to impact the game from all three levels.
Moreover, Towns has brought a more physical interior presence, complementing his offensive versatility. His revitalized play has energized Madison Square Garden, uniting the Knicks’ fanbase around a team that now looks like a legitimate contender in the East.
The Knicks’ New Core
Despite sacrificing depth in the trade, the Knicks have found stability with a core built around Towns, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges. Towns’ leadership on both ends of the court has allowed Brunson and Bridges to flourish, creating a balanced attack that has consistently outperformed expectations.
With Towns anchoring the team and receiving rare accolades from Shaq, the Knicks have positioned themselves as a formidable force in the conference. Under the bright lights of New York, Towns has finally found his perfect fit—and the league is taking notice.