Why Karl-Anthony Towns feels he has a ‘head start’ with Knicks after being ‘flabbergasted’ by trade

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Karl-Anthony Towns was “flabbergasted” when told he was being traded.

He had spent nine seasons with the Timberwolves, an eternity in the NBA that represented his entire professional career until this week.

But if Towns was forced to relocate, the Knicks are certainly a comfortable landing spot.

The center is from the New York area, with a deep and emotional connection to MSG, courtesy of his mother.

His former agent, Leon Rose, runs the front office. Another top executive, William Wesley, had close ties to the Kentucky Wildcats program during Towns’ stint there and remains a family friend.

Then there’s the coach, Tom Thibodeau, who guided Towns during 2 ½ seasons in Minnesota, a partnership that turned turbulent at the end but was subsequently mended.