For those who want Karl-Anthony Towns

[shut_the_gate]

A line-up comparison shows just how bad defensively Towns is

Lineup 1 : Napier, Culver, Wiggins, Covington, Towns Def efficiency: 117.9 (the worst defensive rating in the history of the NBA)

Lineup 2: Napier, Culver, Wiggins, Covington, Dieng Def efficiency: 106.0 (near top 5 defence in the current NBA)

[gouki88]

I don't know that this is necessarily all on Towns. In the games I've watched when Towns is in, on defence his teammates seem to really take plays off, as if they think Towns is going to cover for them. When Dieng is in they seem to buy in a lot more.

I also think Towns could benefit from playing alongside a defensive minded big. All that being said, his defence is definitely not good

[DefenseWinsChamps]

A line-up comparison shows just how bad defensively Towns is

Lineup 1 : Napier, Culver, Wiggins, Covington, Towns Def efficiency: 117.9 (the worst defensive rating in the history of the NBA)

Lineup 2: Napier, Culver, Wiggins, Covington, Dieng Def efficiency: 106.0 (near top 5 defence in the current NBA)

How many possessions/minutes are these lineups?

[tenn_smoothie]

Plus his heart is not where it needs to be to win titles. He might put up a bunch of numbers, but I don't see him relishing mixing it up in a tough playoff game on the road when his team needs a win in a competitive series.

[tstorey_97]

Two first round picks closing this one out.

[gouki88]

Plus his heart is not where it needs to be to win titles. He might put up a bunch of numbers, but I don't see him relishing mixing it up in a tough playoff game on the road when his team needs a win in a competitive series.

I think behind a proper leader (or legit MVP talent) he could do so. Similarly to Love/Kyrie

[Tr1boy]

Not even Butler could get his azz in order

KAT looked like a changed player earlier this season

But has since sizzled... inconsistent effort/drive

KAT = a more offensive skilled Mark Blount?

[ozgod]

Plus his heart is not where it needs to be to win titles. He might put up a bunch of numbers, but I don't see him relishing mixing it up in a tough playoff game on the road when his team needs a win in a competitive series.

Towns just doesn't seem like a winner. He puts up gaudy numbers but Minnesota have been terrible the entire time he's been there. He's what, personally lost 18 in a row since December?

I think behind a proper leader (or legit MVP talent) he could do so. Similarly to Love/Kyrie

Yes I think he's definitely got more of the drive of a 1B, not a 1A.

[Celtics4ever]

Sometimes all it takes is the right guy to push the buttons.    By the logic of this post, we would have never traded for KG as he has achieved little in Minny.

[jambr380]

I would love this to be the general consensus on KAT going into the offseason as we would be able to grab him for relatively little. Obviously this hasn't been his best stretch of winning basketball, but he is still supremely talented and comes off as a decent guy. It'll be interesting to see if he plays better with D'Lo than he did with Wiggins.

So, if we did in fact re-sign Hayward this off-season to a longer deal and Romeo continued to show improvement, would people be willing to trade Jaylen for KAT? I realize this isn't the 'relatively little' package I mentioned above, but it would have to be strongly considered...right? I just feel like people are really down on him right now.

[CelticsPoetry]

Sometimes all it takes is the right guy to push the buttons.    By the logic of this post, we would have never traded for KG as he has achieved little in Minny.

I believe that line of thinking is wrong, since KG was known as a fierce competitor who cared about winning. He also won an MVP and never a supporting cast close to what KAT had (Butler)

[SHAQATTACK]

Sometimes all it takes is the right guy to push the buttons.    By the logic of this post, we would have never traded for KG as he has achieved little in Minny.

what you have identified, KAT has hit the wall with the T wolf s club it appears , like KLove , KG etc .   He needs to move on up the NBA ladder to the next organization , coach or fit that can take him to greater heights in his career . This realization takes a while , we ll see if he is pro active and does something about his future or wanders aimlessly on like Boogie did at Sac Town until both sides call it quits

[footey]

T Wolves wouldn't accept any offer from Celtics that did not include Tatum. And I simply would not do that.

[Donoghus]

Towns is way too cost prohibitive to chase after.

[4THQTR]

Sometimes all it takes is the right guy to push the buttons.    By the logic of this post, we would have never traded for KG as he has achieved little in Minny.

That’s a poor comparison.

KG had dragged a dumpster fire to the playoffs repeatedly and won an MVP in Minnesota. He was a +/- on&off monster that ruled several advanced impact stats for years and was well recognized for elevating his teams. The only criticism of him was that he did not stack up to Kobe/Duncan when it came to taking over games due to his more team-oriented game and not being an elite post-up/isolation scorer.

KG was having a hall-of-fame career in Minny already before coming to Boston. Winning a chip here only solidified him as an all-time great, but it didn’t make him.

Sure he never made it to the finals with the Wolves, but he was up against the Duncan Spurs, Shaq/Kobe Lakers and also had teams like the Kings, Suns, Mavs, and Rockets all at one point in time boasting more talent than the sorry franchise he was playing for.

Can’t say that’s KAT‘s resume right now, so I just don’t see that as a valid argument to discussing KAT‘s lack of defensive prowess. And I am not saying that I am against trading for KAT...