Somewhat quietly, the New York Knicks have moved away from starting Karl-Anthony Towns alongside Mitchell Robinson when both are available. And while getting more tick at center, KAT has largely looked like a different player—a better, rejuvenated player.
Raise your hand if you’re surprised.
This is not a development that should overwhelm you with shock. Putting Towns at center is the entire point of having him. His floor-spacing and driving, specifically, are more valuable at the 5 than the 4. The Knicks never entirely punted on this concept, but they haven’t leaned fully into it, either. His utility is always caveated by the presence of another non-spacer, be it Robinson, or Josh Hart (more on him shortly).