How the Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards' superstar ascension has led to the redemption of Karl-Anthony Towns

When the Wolves traded for Rudy Gobert, it was a a bet against Karl-Anthony Towns. But, in these playoffs, Towns has often morphed -- from elite role player back into superstar -- and it's got Minnesota on the precipice of the Western Conference Finals. Some of the offers were decent, sources said.

What was Towns in an Edwards-Gobert universe -- and could the Wolves find some facsimile of that at a cheaper salary? Maybe they already had that player in, now in the first year of a three-year, $42 million extension. Reid hit 41% on 3s this season and won Sixth Man of the Year. The Wolves went 12-6 with Reid in Towns' starting spot as Towns recovered from knee surgery.

The further you advance in the playoffs, the more every small layer of extra talent matters. Well below Towns' level, some role players get played off the floor while others who appear to fit the same generic template survive and adapt. Towns is indeed in a slightly reduced role on offense next to Edwards, but he's bigger and more talented than anyone else in that role -- with the ability to expand his scoring in a pinch.

Towns is the better shooter. Caldwell-Pope would love to return to him sooner. But Murray can't abandon Gobert until Jokic recovers, and Caldwell-Pope can't jet back to Towns until Murray begins his rotation back outside. Towns needs almost no time to catch and shoot. If the defense isn't perfect, it's easy money.

Edwards whips the ball to Towns in the corner. Instead of rushing a 3, Towns dusts Murray with a pump fake, drives baseline, and rises for a layup around Jokic. The average stretch-4 can't do all of that. You don't make that kind of cut unless you are fully engaged -- bought into your role, on high alert, brain whirring with one governing thought:That has translated to defense. It will never be Towns' strong suit, but he's grinding. He managed well enough againstin the first round that the Wolves did not have to resort to any matchup contortionism to make do. Durant was too fast and agile for Towns in some situations, but Towns can make up for a lot of that with sheer size and effort.

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