Knicks Face Pivotal Decision: Shift Karl-Anthony Towns to Power Forward to Maximize Jalen Brunson Duo in Playoff Push

The New York Knicks’ front office has never shied away from making bold decisions. From blockbuster trades to aggressive extensions, the organization is all-in on building a championship-contending team around Jalen Brunson. And while this roster has shown legitimate promise—reaching heights the franchise hasn’t seen in decades—one glaring puzzle remains unsolved. It revolves around Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns, the former No. 1 overall pick and perennial All-Star, came to New York with the promise of transforming the Knicks into a true contender. His offensive skill set—unparalleled for a big man—offers the ideal partner for Brunson: a stretch big who can shoot, pass, and punish defenses from the perimeter. At times during the 2024–25 regular season, that vision came to life. The Brunson-Towns pick-and-pop game terrorized teams across the league. The Knicks ranked among the top five in offensive efficiency when the duo shared the floor.

But come playoff time, reality hit harder than a playoff foul in the paint.

Opponents began targeting Towns in the middle. Defensive schemes dared New York to protect the rim with Towns alone, exposing the fact that while he’s a skilled offensive center, he isn’t a rim protector in the traditional sense. Against teams with elite slashers or dominant bigs, New York’s interior defense cratered. And the ripple effects were glaring: foul trouble, blown coverages, and broken defensive rotations.

In contrast, when Mitchell Robinson was healthy and on the floor, the defensive identity of the Knicks shifted. He anchored the paint with shot-blocking presence, cleaned up the glass, and allowed perimeter defenders to play with more aggression. It’s no coincidence that the Knicks’ defensive rating improved dramatically when Robinson manned the middle. Still, with Towns occupying the center spot, head coach Tom Thibodeau had a tough choice to make—prioritize offense or defense?

The answer may now be obvious: don’t choose. Adjust.

The Knicks don’t need to move on from Karl-Anthony Towns. They simply need to move him—to power forward. This isn’t a demotion. It’s optimization.

Shifting Towns to the four would unlock his most valuable skills while covering his biggest limitations. Offensively, he continues to stretch the floor, forcing opposing bigs to defend him 25 feet from the basket. That opens up lanes for Brunson to drive, kick, and orchestrate at an elite level. When defenses collapse, Towns can punish them with corner threes or mid-range pull-ups. He’s also an underrated passer, capable of swinging the ball or initiating offense from the elbow.

Defensively, with a true rim protector like Robinson (or another center acquired via trade or free agency), Towns wouldn’t have to play the last line of defense. Instead, he could switch onto fours, rotate as a helper, and avoid the foul trouble that plagued him in several high-stakes games this past postseason. He wouldn’t be asked to do what he can’t. He’d be empowered to do what he does best.

There’s already precedent for this kind of adjustment. Look no further than the Cleveland Cavaliers, who shifted Evan Mobley to power forward alongside Jarrett Allen. Or the Lakers pairing Anthony Davis with Dwight Howard in their 2020 title run. Twin tower lineups, when balanced, can thrive in today’s NBA—especially when one of the towers can shoot like a guard.

The challenge, of course, lies in the details. First, the Knicks need Robinson healthy and consistent. His injury history is well-documented, and relying solely on him is risky. That’s where depth comes in. New York may need to pursue another backup center in free agency or via trade—someone who can play meaningful playoff minutes if Robinson can’t. Names like Isaiah Hartenstein (should he return), Daniel Gafford, or even a veteran like Jonas Valančiūnas could be ideal fits.

Thibodeau, known for his defensive mindset, might relish the idea of a bigger, tougher frontcourt. Imagine a starting lineup of Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Mikal Bridges, Towns, and Robinson. That group offers spacing, switchability, and above all—balance. It’s built to contend with Boston’s wings, Milwaukee’s size, or Miami’s grit.

There’s also the matter of trust. Towns, now entering his tenth NBA season, wants to win. Badly. He’s taken heat in Minnesota and now faces intense scrutiny in New York. But there’s zero indication he wouldn’t welcome a role that maximizes his impact—especially if it results in playoff wins. In fact, the power forward role might suit him better mentally and physically. Less wear and tear in the post. More freedom on the perimeter. Fewer defensive responsibilities. More room to dominate.

And for the Knicks, the timing couldn’t be more important. The Eastern Conference is as competitive as ever. Boston remains loaded. Milwaukee still has Giannis (for now). The Heat are always dangerous, and teams like Indiana and Cleveland are on the rise. For New York to not just survive, but thrive in that gauntlet, every piece must fit.

That means leaning into Brunson’s brilliance as the engine. That means surrounding him with defenders, shooters, and athletes. And that means placing Towns not in the paint—but just outside of it.

The numbers back it up. When Towns plays power forward alongside a defensive center, his defensive rating improves. His fouls drop. His offensive efficiency spikes. The floor spacing is better. Brunson’s shot quality improves. The bench production rises. It’s all interconnected.

Some fans may worry that moving Towns to the four clogs the floor. But in reality, Towns shot over 41% from three this past season. That’s better than most wings. His gravity alone pulls defenders out of the paint. This isn’t about forcing a big lineup—it’s about redefining modern positional basketball.

There’s also a psychological edge. Opponents can’t rest if both of New York’s big men can impact both ends. If Towns is torching opposing fours from outside, the double teams start coming. And when they do, it’s Robinson rolling, Bridges cutting, or Brunson exploiting the chaos.

For New York, the solution is sitting in plain sight. They don’t need to trade Towns. They need to trust him—in a new role. One that sets the table for a deeper postseason run and maybe, just maybe, the franchise’s first championship since 1973.

In today’s NBA, flexibility is everything. And the Knicks finally have the roster, the stars, and the system to make it work. The only thing left is to make the move.

Because in the playoffs, there’s no margin for error. Every possession matters. Every mismatch is magnified.

And right now, the biggest mismatch is one the Knicks can fix—before it costs them again.