Career First! Karl-Anthony Towns Ranked Fifth in MVP Race, Now the East’s Top Center?

The NBA recently unveiled the latest edition of its MVP leaderboard, sparking fresh debates across the basketball community. While Nikola Jokic retained his top spot, and Giannis Antetokounmpo climbed to second, the most surprising development came at the fifth position: Karl-Anthony Towns. A familiar name for his offensive prowess, Towns has rarely been associated with serious MVP discussions. However, his performances this season with the New York Knicks suggest a new chapter in his career—one where he’s emerging as a franchise cornerstone.

Familiar Yet Unprecedented

Towns’ presence in the top five is both familiar and groundbreaking. Familiar because his resume includes multiple All-Star and All-NBA selections, as well as being recognized as one of the most skilled offensive big men in NBA history. Unprecedented because, until now, Towns had never truly entered the MVP conversation in a meaningful way.

This marks the first time in his career that Towns has broken into the top five of the MVP race, signaling acknowledgment of his contributions to a Knicks team that is climbing the ranks in the Eastern Conference. While a single iteration of MVP rankings does not define a season, Towns’ current recognition highlights his elevated performance and role in New York.

Towns’ Stellar Season in New York

Since joining the Knicks, Towns has been nothing short of transformative. Through 21 games, he is averaging 25.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, numbers that place him among the league's elite. His efficiency is remarkable: shooting 53.1% from the field, 45.0% from beyond the arc, and 85.7% from the free-throw line. His true shooting percentage of 64.8% ranks among the best in the NBA.

For context, compare these stats to last season when he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 62 games, Towns averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, with shooting splits of 50.4%/41.6%/62.5%. While his efficiency remained solid, his reduced role as the second (or even third) option behind Anthony Edwards was evident.

This season, Towns has already recorded seven games with 30 or more points, including standout performances such as a 44-point, 13-rebound outing against the Miami Heat and a 46-point, 10-rebound showcase against the Chicago Bulls. For comparison, he managed just five 30-point games in the entirety of last season.

A New King in New York

When Towns was traded to the Knicks, many expected him to play a secondary role alongside Jalen Brunson. However, it quickly became evident that Towns was capable of leading the team. The Knicks’ offense has flourished with Towns as its focal point. When he’s on the floor, their offensive rating soars to 122.6, with a net rating of +9.9. In his absence, those numbers drop to 114.2 and +4.2, respectively.

Advanced metrics further highlight Towns’ impact. His Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 26.4 ranks sixth in the league, his Win Shares (WS) of 3.5 is fifth, and his WS per 48 minutes of 0.239 is seventh. In contrast, Brunson, while still vital, ranks 14th, eighth, and 10th in those same categories.

Defensive Shortcomings

Despite his offensive brilliance, Towns remains a liability on the defensive end, particularly as a rim protector. Opponents are shooting better against him in the paint, with their field goal percentage rising from 46.6% to 53.0% when Towns contests shots. Within 10 feet of the basket, their efficiency increases by 10%.

During his time with the Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert often masked Towns’ defensive shortcomings, forming a complementary pairing that was instrumental in last season’s playoff success. Without such support in New York, Towns’ defensive flaws are more exposed.

Knicks’ Resurgence

The Knicks have begun to find their groove with a revamped roster. After a 5-6 start, they’ve won nine of their last 11 games, climbing to 14-8 and fourth place in the East. Towns has been pivotal to this turnaround, forming an effective starting lineup alongside Brunson, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges.

This lineup has logged 375 minutes together, significantly more than any other Knicks combination, and has been highly productive. Over the last 11 games, this unit has outscored opponents by 21.1 points per 100 possessions, making it one of the most dominant lineups in the league.

A Win-Win Trade?

Towns’ move to New York has seemingly reinvigorated his career. His elevated status as a leading MVP candidate and increased production suggest the trade has been beneficial for him. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have also thrived, with their own core featuring Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley, Gobert, Julius Randle, and Jaden McDaniels forming one of the league’s most potent lineups.

While it’s too early to declare the trade an unequivocal win-win, the early returns are promising for both teams. For Towns, this season represents a career renaissance, with the potential for All-Star, All-NBA, and MVP honors. At 29 years old, he’s firmly in his prime and proving himself as more than just a secondary option.

As the season progresses, fans will eagerly await more marquee moments from Towns as he solidifies his place among the NBA’s elite.