The New York Knicks’ acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns seems like a significant upgrade for the roster, but it raises questions about the roles of other players, particularly Mitchell Robinson. Robinson’s position as the starting center is uncertain, especially since he’ll miss the start of the season while rehabbing his left ankle. So, how does Towns’ arrival impact Robinson’s role? Let’s break it down.
First off, whether people like it or not, Towns is set to be the Knicks’ opening-day center. He’s the only seven-footer on the roster with substantial experience, making him the obvious choice to start the season.
Towns, despite some defensive criticism, has proven to be a reliable big man. Although the Minnesota Timberwolves ranked in the bottom 10 in defense for six consecutive seasons when Towns was their starting center, this narrative changed before Rudy Gobert’s arrival. In the 2021-22 season, Minnesota ranked 13th in points allowed per 100 possessions. Towns has shown growth as a young center learning the ropes, and even after Gobert joined, Minnesota performed well defensively when Towns was on the court.
Anunoby, in particular, could help Towns by switching onto opposing centers when necessary.
But the real question is, what happens when Robinson returns?
When healthy, Robinson is one of the NBA’s best defensive centers. However, he’s been plagued by injuries, missing 20 or more games in four of his six seasons. With his current ankle injury, Robinson’s reliability remains a concern.
Perhaps Robinson is better suited for a different role, one where he plays shorter, high-impact stretches rather than starting. Knicks leadership might opt to use Robinson strategically, deploying him in defensive situations that best suit his strengths while managing his minutes to keep him healthy.
