The best Timberwolves roster All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has played on

Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty, in the words of 14-times Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar, Minnesota Timberwolves center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) deserves everything coming his way. Recently signing a four-year, $224M supermax extension; after qualifying by making one of the designated All-NBA teams last season (rightfully deserving).

KAT stuck with the Timberwolves through mediocre seasons, never asking for a trade, which is a common thing to do for some superstars in today’s game. KAT now has the best roster he’s ever had around him and a legit chance to compete for something huge!

KAT is an all-time big-man three-point shooter. A career 39.7 percent 3-point shooter on 4.9 three-point attempts (3PA) tells us; that no big has ever shot that efficiently with that much volume. During the 2019-20 season, KAT shot an earth-scorching 41 percent on 7.9(!) 3PA.

Again that type of efficient volume shooting is non-existent among any other big-man shooter. KAT has a guard-like step-back in his game and is a great catch and shooter. Playing alongside future teammate and center Rudy Gobert will allow him to take more 3PA and play on the perimeter more.

KAT is an NBA unicorn

KAT is an absolute nightmare to match up against because of his versatile skillset. KAT is a capable post scorer. He’s not a big you can stick a guard on and say “Here, hold him.” KAT is great at taking advantage of mismatches. So you have to put a big on him right? He’s the new modern-day big with guard-like skills. He puts the ball on the floor effortlessly when slower bigs close out on him. He’ll get to attack a lot more closeouts next year with Rudy holding down the paint.

Playing the four (power forward) position now, KAT will have to defend the perimeter more frequently. The goal on offense is to have five players that can dribble, pass, and shoot. That’s the idea, but we’re not there yet. A lot of teams still throw out lineups with maybe one specialist. This player may be a defender, shooter, scorer, or high-energy role player.

Since this player isn’t the guy teams run their offense through, some opposing coaches put their star on him. You put KAT on the least prioritized offensive threat. If teams get out of character and try to let player X who doesn’t initiate the offense attack KAT, you’ve thrown them off their game plan.

Teams may try to get KAT involved in PnR action. If KAT is forced to switch, getting up into the ballhandler and forcing them to blow by you isn’t a terrible option with Rudy protecting the rim. Just try to guard in space the best you can, but punish teams with two bigs on the other side of the court.

Small improvements? Big results

Small improvements on guarding in space will be huge for KAT and the Timberwolves as a whole because with Gobert down low teams will automatically be shooting at the rim far less frequently. Teams only attempted 28.3 percent of their shots (subscription required) at the rim against the Utah Jazz last year, a mark that ranked third in all of basketball. Jaden McDaniels is a factor here too because he can take tough matchups against almost any position.

There is so much talent on this Timberwolves roster. According to new Timberwolves owner Marc Lore, we now have the twin towers in KAT and Rudy Gobert. Or as we are proposing, Fire and Ice, or KAT and the Stifle Tower.

Former All-Star point guard, D’Angelo Russell (Dlo) arguably had a better overall season last year compared to his All-Star year in Brooklyn. Don’t let the playoffs be all you remember about Dlo’s year. He played good basketball playing the point guard position at a high level.

We expect young stars, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels to reach new heights in 2022-23. And the bench will surprise some folks. Jordan McLaughlin is a good backup point guard. He’s steady and dependable.

Jaylen Nowell is a bucket-getting flamethrower that will provide instant offense. A new addition to the roster, Kyle Anderson is a bigger playmaker (my favorite archetype) that also competes defensively. Naz Reid is another big on the roster who provides floor-spacing and a hard-nosed attitude.

This is the most talented team KAT has played for in his eight-year Timberwolves tenure. I believe he’s salivating at the mouth to show he’s always been a winning player.