The Knicks' Most Important Challenge in Towns

New York Knicks faces the 2026-27 season with the difficult task of defending the NBA championship. After winning the title last season, the New York franchise has managed to retain the core of the championship team, renewing important pieces like Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and José Alvarado. Additionally, they added Andre Drummond to cover Mitchell Robinson's departure, one of the team's great defensive specialists.

However, despite keeping a large part of the squad, there is a question mark that could shape the season. Robinson's departure leaves a significant void in rim protection and forces Karl-Anthony Towns to assume a much greater defensive responsibility than he has had in recent years.

The Dominican center has shown a noticeable improvement in defense since arriving in New York, but his characteristics remain very different from the player he replaces. This difference raises questions about whether the Knicks can maintain the defensive level that led them to the championship.

Mitchell Robinson's Absence Changes the Outlook

Over the past years, Mitchell Robinson was the defensive anchor for the Knicks. Although injuries limited his playing time, and in the 2026 playoffs he barely played 14 minutes per game, his impact went far beyond traditional statistics.

In the postseason, he averaged 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game, figures that extrapolated to 36 minutes are equivalent to 16.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Additionally, he was a key player in several decisive actions, including some of the most important offensive rebounds in the NBA Finals.

With his departure, New York loses the best rim protector on the team.

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Comparison between Towns and Robinson

Although Andre Drummond brings experience and rebounding prowess, he does not possess the intimidating presence that Robinson offered in the paint.

Towns Has Improved but Is Still Not an Intimidator

It is undeniable that Karl-Anthony Towns took a step forward in defense during the 2025-26 season. Under Mike Brown's guidance, he showed more commitment, improved his positioning, and delivered a much more consistent performance than in previous stages of his career.

However, there remains a limitation that is hard to ignore: he has never been a great shot-blocker.

Last season, he averaged just 0.5 blocks per game, the lowest figure of his career. In fact, he has now completed four consecutive seasons averaging less than one block per game.

Although some of these numbers can be explained by Brown reducing his average minutes to 31 per night—the lowest mark of his career—there is no indication that this time will significantly increase during the upcoming season.

Thus, the Knicks will begin their title defense without a true specialist in rim protection.

Foul Troubles Are Concerning

Another aspect adding pressure on Towns is his tendency to collect fouls.

During the 2025-26 season, he fouled out six times and finished nine other games with five personal fouls.

A comparison with other prominent centers is striking:

• Karl-Anthony Towns: 6 ejections due to fouls.

• Victor Wembanyama: 2.

• Nikola Jokic: 2.

With Robinson off the team, each foul now carries much greater significance.

If Towns has to leave the court early, the Knicks will lose virtually all of their interior defensive presence, a situation that could be particularly problematic against teams with significant offensive threats in the paint.

OG Anunoby Emerges as an Alternative Solution

If there is a player capable of partially offsetting this situation, it is OG Anunoby.

The Canadian forward remains one of the most versatile defenders in the entire NBA thanks to a unique combination of physique, speed, strength, and tactical intelligence.

With his height of 2.01 meters and a wingspan near 2.18 meters, Anunoby has proven capable of defending virtually any position.

During his time in New York, he has taken on matchups against stars like Joel Embiid or Victor Wembanyama, two of the most difficult big men to contain in the league.

Although not a traditional rim protector, he also contributes in that area.

Interestingly, last season he averaged the same 0.7 blocks per game as Towns, despite spending much of his time defending perimeter players.

Financial Flexibility Affects Moves

Maintaining the championship core also comes at a cost.

Renewing Shamet, Clarkson, and José Alvarado, along with other important contracts on the roster, leaves very little salary cap room to add another specialist center during the season.

Therefore, Mike Brown will likely need to find tactical solutions rather than hitting the market.

Using more mobile lineups with Anunoby as a stretch big or an increased presence of Drummond in certain matchups could become regular resources during the season.

A Challenge That Could Define the Championship Defense

The Knicks maintain a top-level roster and are among the top contenders to compete for the championship again. However, Mitchell Robinson's departure changes one of the pillars that supported the team's defensive success.

Karl-Anthony Towns has evolved significantly and provides many guarantees as a franchise player, but assuming almost sole responsibility for protecting the paint is probably the biggest defensive challenge of his career.

If he can stay clear of foul trouble and continues to progress on that end of the floor, New York will have a good chance of repeating the championship. Conversely, if the defensive limitations of the five-time All-Star reappear frequently, the Knicks could sorely miss the silent but essential work that Mitchell Robinson performed under the hoops.