This won’t be the first NBA go-round for Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau and incoming star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. The two were previously together when Thibodeau coached Towns and the Timberwolves.
But there were reports the relationship was a bit rocky between the two. Now, it seems, all is well.
That’s a good thing, as the Knicks acquired Towns in a trade that will send power forward Julius Randle, guard Donte DiVincenzo and a first-round pick (via the Pistons) to the Wolves. The Knicks are also sending guard DaQuan Jeffries to the Hornets as part of the deal.
Thibodeau has helped change the course of the Knicks from a running joke to a team that is now in the running for an NBA championship. A happy and healthy Towns should only add to that.
It should work out well, with Thibodeau and Towns seeing eye-to-eye, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic, who wrote the following:
“Thibodeau has worked with Towns before when the coach headed the Timberwolves and Towns, now 28, was coming of age. They were an imperfect match then. Before a game at Madison Square Garden last season, Towns put any question that the two have issues to rest.”
“‘I ain’t got no problems with Thibs,’ Towns said then. ‘We squashed that. I still look at Thibs as one of the best coaches, best X’s and O’s guys I’ve ever been able to play for. He’s a winner.'”
A source told The Athletic that Thibodeau is aligned with those feelings.
“If a guy can play,” the source said, via Katz, “Thibs wants him.”
Towns reportedly was still processing the trade as of Friday night, but by all accounts, he intends to accept and adapt.
Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks last season, shooting 50.4% from the field, 41.6% from on 3-pointers and 87.3% from the free-throw line.
A four-time All-Star, he carries career averages of 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks.
Towns, who has made two All-NBA teams, signed a four-year, $221 million extension in July 2022. He will make $49.4 million this season.
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There has to be missing info or else the new tax rules have been reported incorrectly. Knicks can’t take back more than they send out so they need to send out 9 million more. Jeffries isn’t on their roster so sign and trade helps nothing with total salary cap. Probably Mitchell Robinson to Detroit.