ORLANDO — The NBA season is like a dog year.
And having nine on the same team is unusual, especially in the era of Adam Silver's player empowerment/movement.
From a local perspective, the last player Nick played for nine seasons with the franchise was Allan Houston nearly 20 years ago, but he missed 94 of the last 164 games.
This amounted to 16 years as an executive with the Houston Knicks, a position of job security that survived several regime changes.
Karl-Anthony Towns returns to Target Center on Thursday in a similar situation.
He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Timberwolves in 2015 and ranks second on the franchise's all-time list in points, rebounds and blocks.
Without much debate, the list of greatest Timberwolves will start with No. 1 Kevin Garnett and No. 2 Towns until Anthony Edwards changes the rankings.
Despite that history, Towns said he wasn't sure how Thursday's crowd would react to his return.
He also passionately defended his commitment to the franchise he traded for in October.
“I don't know (how they're going to hold me), but I know that every time I put on a Timberwolves jersey, I was doing my best, even if I wasn't 100 percent,” Towns said. said after his recent double-double with the Knicks and Sunday's win over the Magic. “I gave everything to them, mentally, physically and spiritually. I was there for nine years, so I go there with great pride and joy in my memories.”
Towns then referenced his final moments with the organization in May, when he emotionally blew a kiss to the crowd after the T-Wolves were eliminated in the conference finals.
On the eve of training camp, the 29-year-old was acquired in a trade for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
“The last time I went there, I looked at myself in the mirror and knew I gave everything I could to the state, the city, the organization over there, and even more than I ever thought I could. I even realized that I was giving a lot,” he said. Towns returned from a torn meniscus last season for the playoffs. “So I was proud of the guy that put on a Timberwolves jersey and put on a show over there. I don't know how the fans are going to react, but what I gave myself, my family and that organization. I know that and I’m happy and proud of what I did.”
Towns' tenure was polarizing, with many losses over nine years, but there is little doubt that Minnesotans will give him a standing ovation in his memorial video.
His departure was about giving up salary to avoid salary cap hell, not about his play or attitude.
He also participated in the organization's only playoff appearance since 2004 and signed two extensions.
The better question is how Towns' game will react to the added layer of distraction.
“We're going to win, so we'd better handle it accordingly, for sure,” Towns said. “Like I said, I don't know, I can't imagine myself in this situation, but here we are.”
Underscoring Towns' surprise at being traded, he slimmed down in the offseason believing he could once again play as a power forward next to Rudy Gobert.
But then he was suddenly sent to New York to play center, and is currently averaging his most minutes since 2018, which makes sense given the Knicks' thin depth.
“What I'm seeing now is a lot of summer time that I put in,” Towns said. Towns is averaging 24.8 points and 13.9 rebounds and is on pace to be named an All-Star for the fifth time in what will likely be his first start. “Instead of having fun, I was in the gym working on my body, working on my game, working on my cardio. Obviously things got really weird once the season started, so I'm glad I've been putting in the work.”
Mr. Towns added: Whatever had to be done had to be done. I'm not saying I gained weight, but I knew exactly what I needed to do. ”
The feelings on the other side of the transaction are a little more complex and hostile.
Randle helped revive the franchise after nearly 20 years in dire straits, but he didn't get a second contract extension and was fired days after helping open a school in the Bronx.
The last time he was at the Garden, Randle said his contract with the Knicks was over.
“It's over,” he said. “Right now I have unfinished business.”
DiVincenzo was shocked and upset to be traded just one year into a four-season contract.
His return to the Garden before the season included some heated moments with the Knicks bench.
Thursday will be a rematch related to the regular season.
“I think [Donte] They’re going to come in and try to kick our butt,” Josh Hart said. “I think Julius will come in and try to do the same thing, as he should. I think KAT will probably come in with a shoulder injury as well.
“You know it's going to happen. You know it's going to be a fun game.”
The very early gains of the trade are certainly a positive for the Knicks, who are getting elite scoring and defensive rebounding production from Towns while sitting in third place in the East at 16-10.
The Timberwolves (14-11) are also starting to improve, winning six of their last seven games.
While Randle has been playing well, averaging 20.1 points on 48% shooting in 33 minutes (especially considering he missed most of last season with a dislocated shoulder), DiVincenzo is shooting 48% from the field and averaging 20.1 points per game (especially considering he missed most of last season with a dislocated shoulder). It is struggling at 35%.
“This is a big deal, so people will be comparing it all the way to the end,” Towns said. “My job is to do what I can control, and that is to be the best possible version of myself for this team and contribute to the success of this team. Of course, the comparison is up to your preference. I 's job is to make sure his end is taken care of.”
And Thursday brings the added task of navigating the unpredictable emotions of returning to familiar territory.
“You say this as if I'm used to this situation,” Towns smiled. “I've seen people get traded. I've never been traded.”
