Just how bad was Karl Anthony Towns this postseason?

[Porckchop]

Kat and Ants personalities and style of play don’t seem to be an ideal fit. I get this sneaking suspicion that Edwards doesn’t have a lot of respect for Towns. I could be way off base but one post game interview where Ant calls him out for to many dumb fouls had a certain vibe.

[Lipoli390]

I agree with Abe that the anti-KAT narrative in the media is ridiculous, but I don’t think it will significantly impact his trade value. Yes, GMs don’t make personnel decisions in a vacuum, but GMs also know their fate will ultimately be determined by their team’s success, not by the media perception of a player when the player is acquired. All basketball execs, including our own Tim Connelly, know KAT’s value. So I’m sure we can get very good value in return for KAT commensurate with his elite offensive abilities and now solid defense. The key is Tim Connelly. He has to be resolute in holding out for a return that reflects KAT’s value as a player. That means NOT trading KAT to dump salary. Running it back next season over the second apron is tenable. After next season, the Wolves can renegotiate Rudy’s deal to stretch his salary over multiple years to avoid a second season above the 2nd apron. So we have choices other than dumping KAT this summer or next for payroll purposes.

If we want to make a significant trade to get below the 2nd apron and effectively re-tool around Ant, we have multiple options. One option is trading KAT. But the Wolves have to also be open to trading Rudy, Naz or Jaden as well. My strong preference is to keep Jaden and Naz because their age and development fit re-tooling around Ant. They’re both going likely to significantly improve over the next few years.

I suspect we’re going to trade KAT or Rudy by the end of next summer. It could be this summer, but more likely at next season’s trade deadline or during next year’s offseason. We might get better value for Rudy than KAT because his contract isn’t as long, but it’s hard to know. Ant loves KAT so that has to be factored in as well. If it were up to me, I’d be quietly exploring interest in Rudy and KAT this offseason to see if there might be an offer I can’t refuse (other than a horse head in my bed). If not, I’d be content to run it back and shop both players more aggressively next summer. There’s a good argument to shop both aggressively this summer because there’s reason to believe we simply can’t improve enough to avoid slipping much less get over the hump with the same core personnel.

[Lipoli390]

Kat and Ants personalities and style of play don’t seem to be an ideal fit. I get this sneaking suspicion that Edwards doesn’t have a lot of respect for Towns. I could be way off base but one post game interview where Ant calls him out for to many dumb fouls had a certain vibe.

You’re wrong about that, Pork. I was talking with an insider last week and he confirmed the public reports we’ve all seen that Ant and KAT are close and that Ant loves KAT. In a pre-season presser last fall, Finch mentioned as a key goal restoring the great on-court chemistry KAT and Ant had before Rudy arrived. It’s clear Finch did not achieve that objective. But the point is that Ant and KAT were a terrific tandem two years ago when they lead the team to 46 wins and took the top-seeded Grizzlies to 6 games and Ant was only in his second season then. The insider I talked to didn’t say Ant doesn’t like playing with Rudy, but I suspect he doesn’t love it.

None of this means we shouldn’t or won’t trade KAT, but Ant’s view of KAT won’t make trading KAT more likely. If anything, Ant’s view of KAT will reduce the odds of the Wolves trading KAT.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Jonny K said KAT's knee was really bothering him in the Dallas series.

No. Why would you think that? Just because the guy came back earlier-than-expected from a knee injury?
MEH!

Only Luka Doncic was injured in that series. We were told this often... usually after he missed a shot.

[FNG]

Jonny K said KAT's knee was really bothering him in the Dallas series.

No. Why would you think that? Just because the guy came back earlier-than-expected from a knee injury?
MEH!

Only Luka Doncic was injured in that series. We were told this often... usually after he missed a shot.

Yeah, but not nearly as injured as Jamal Murray was in the previous series. I haven't heard much from Murray recently, so let's hope he's still alive.

Seriously, I'll give some credit to guys like KAT, Ant, Conley, etc. for not whining about being banged up in the playoffs.

[60WinTim]

I know it is 99% likely we are running it back. But I can’t help but imagine a KAT for Murray and either Bogdanovic or Capella (who is reportedly being shopped).

The Bogdan route would be a huge boost to our bench shooting. The Clint route in theory would be a huge boost to our defensive numbers in our non-Rudy minutes. I find both routes intriguing.

But, yeah, 99% KAT is staying put…

[Coolbreeze44]

I know it is 99% likely we are running it back. But I can’t help but imagine a KAT for Murray and either Bogdanovic or Capella (who is reportedly being shopped).

The Bogdan route would be a huge boost to our bench shooting. The Clint route in theory would be a huge boost to our defensive numbers in our non-Rudy minutes. I find both routes intriguing.

But, yeah, 99% KAT is staying put…

Tim, I think it would probably be best that KAT stays put for at least a year. But there is real smoke out there that he could be moved this offseason. I'd say the percentage of him staying is closer to 60%.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think Towns might make it on the roster into next season.

But I don't see him making it through next season.