One Change Could Unlock a Career Year for Karl-Anthony Town
Karl-Anthony Towns introduced himself to New York Knicks fans last season with one of the most impressive offensive campaigns of his career. But there’s reason to believe he can be even better—potentially having the unchallenged best season of his career. The key? Improving his passing out of drives.
It’s Not Just About Three-Pointers
Before you brace yourself for another call for Towns to shoot more threes, relax. While Towns could certainly increase his volume—he averaged 4.8 attempts per 36 minutes last season, ranking 158th among qualified players—his true strength lies in versatility. Towns excels when he can mix posting up, attacking off the dribble, and creating opportunities for teammates. Varying his usage is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the Knicks offense.
Towns Doesn’t Pass Enough Out of Drives
There’s no questioning KAT’s scoring efficiency on drives. He generated points on 94.4 percent of his downhill attacks, second only to Anthony Davis among players with at least 150 drives. Yet, Towns passed out on just 11.8 percent of these opportunities, making him predictable. Defenses know he’s going to attack the rim and often send extra help, sometimes forcing him into heavily contested shots.
This predictability has been a pattern throughout his career. Towns has never ranked higher than the 34th percentile in pass-out rate on drives or the 23rd percentile in assist rate on drives. Last season, his pass-out rate hit a career-low ninth percentile. Improving this aspect of his game is vital for both him and the Knicks offense.
Why the Knicks Offense Needs This Change
Mike Brown’s system will demand more from Towns on the floor. Expect increased cutting, two-man actions with Jalen Brunson, and more live-dribble playmaking. Towns already passes well from standstills or in post situations, and he has shown glimpses of vision while moving. Keeping his head up and finding shooters or cutters off the dribble is entirely feasible.
The bigger challenge may be maintaining spacing, especially when playing alongside Mitchell Robinson or Josh Hart. But the payoff is enormous. If Towns improves his decision-making on drives, he could set a personal high in assists, elevate an already elite Knicks offense to unstoppable levels, and deliver the best overall season of his career—possibly one of the best ever for a big man.
The Potential is Historic
Towns has the tools, talent, and opportunity to take his game—and the Knicks’ offense—to historic heights. It all starts with one small but critical adjustment: passing out of drives. If he makes it, Knicks fans could be witnessing a career year they’ll never forget.
