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Knicks' KAT Transforms Physique for Title Defense
28 Sep
Summary
- Karl-Anthony Towns has significantly slimmed down for the upcoming season.
- He achieved remarkable shooting splits and a record plus/minus in last playoffs.
- Towns' career has seen criticism for defense, potentially addressed by new mobility.
The Knicks are heading into training camp with contract extension talks for Karl-Anthony Towns reportedly stagnating, though he has a significant player option for 2027-28. Towns is eligible for a substantial extension, and there is ample time to reach an agreement. The more compelling offseason narrative surrounding Towns, who turns 31 in November, is his significantly reshaped physique.
Towns' recent transformation, achieved during a summer that also included his wedding to Jordyn Woods and a honeymoon in Africa, has drawn considerable attention. While weight loss could impact certain aspects of his game, his core strengths—shooting, passing, and mobility—were evident during the Knicks' championship run. He became one of few centers with 90-plus assists in a single postseason and posted historic shooting splits (50/40/90) with a record plus/minus of plus-258.
Historically, Towns has faced criticism regarding his defensive capabilities in open space. However, enhanced lateral quickness from his weight loss could improve his ability to switch, recover, and contain opponents, while also making him more explosive offensively. This change may also alleviate knee issues he has played through, similar to how Tim Duncan managed his career. With Robinson and Hukporti departing in free agency, Towns is expected to anchor the center position once again, despite the addition of Andre Drummond.
