The New York Knicks' acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns was aimed at enhancing their offensive capabilities, especially with the absence of Isaiah Hartenstein. However, as the season unfolded, the shortcomings in Towns' defensive performance became glaringly evident. Despite being a capable athlete and center-sized, Towns has not distinguished himself as a reliable defender. The combination of Towns and Jalen Brunson on the court led to defensive vulnerabilities that were exploited by opponents, particularly in the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers.

Teammates expressed frustration not just with Towns' talent but with his lack of defensive communication. When he failed to convey his decisions on coverages, it resulted in a breakdown of team defense. This was highlighted by PJ Tucker's observation about the Knicks' lack of real-time communication during critical moments. Overall, the team performed significantly better defensively when Towns was off the court, raising concerns about the sustainability of his fit within the Knicks’ system, especially with Mitchell Robinson's return to health potentially reshaping their front court dynamics.