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Players and coaches within the New York Knicks organization reportedly expressed significant frustration with Karl-Anthony Towns' defensive performance during the 2024-25 NBA season. According to The Athletic, Towns' tendency to execute incorrect defensive coverages without adequate communication caused concern among his teammates and coaching staff.

The Knicks acquired the five-time All-Star knowing his defensive skills were not his strongest suit, despite his reputation as one of the best shooting big men in NBA history. However, his defensive lapses were glaringly evident in crucial moments, such as Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers, where the Knicks conceded 125 points. This game highlighted Towns' defensive shortcomings and became a focal point of criticism.

The report further noted that this issue was not confined to isolated incidents. Teams frequently exploited the defensive vulnerabilities of the Knicks, particularly when Towns and star guard Jalen Brunson were on the court together. The combination of Brunson and Towns often exacerbated each other's defensive weaknesses, while their offensive collaboration failed to provide a counterbalance, especially during the latter half of the season and the playoffs.

The Eastern Conference finals underscored these challenges; throughout the series, the Pacers deliberately targeted Brunson and Towns. One glaring statistic was that Brunson managed to assist on only five of Towns' baskets during the series, highlighting the lack of synergy between the two stars on the offensive end as well.

Considering the significant investment made by the Knicks to acquire Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, trading him after just one season would be a drastic measure. Moreover, Towns' substantial contract, which extends for three more years with a value of $220.4 million, limits his market appeal.

The acquisition of both Towns and Mikal Bridges was seen as a significant gamble by team president Leon Rose. With limited valuable trade assets, the Knicks must focus on improving the roster incrementally. A key aspect of this will be finding strategies to compensate for Towns' defensive liabilities as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the upcoming seasons.