The most important player on each and every NBA team this season

By Ti Windisch | Aug 28, 2018

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets defends against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Timberwolves — Karl-Anthony Towns

Jimmy Butler is the best player on the Minnesota Timberwolves — if he is still in fact on the Timberwolves by the time you’re reading this article — but he is not the most important. Karl-Anthony Towns is not without flaws, but the big man has even bigger NBA potential.

The things Towns can do on the offensive end are just incredible, and he’s not yet 23 years old. His per game scoring took a slight dip this season, but his efficiency rose in the process. Towns really refined his 3-point shooting, and hit a career-best 42.1 percent of 3.5 attempts from deep per game.

Joel Embiid may get more credit for being a shooter, but Towns is far and away better from long-range. KAT is also a terrific rebounder who has yet to haul in less than 10 boards per game in a season. In less minutes last year he kept his rebounds per game steady.

Finally, Towns is a good passer as well. He has never had a season with less than two assists per game, which is a strong mark for a true big man. With the ball in Butler’s hands more last season that number dipped slightly, but it’s still a strong point for Towns.

The Wolves’ big man is not without flaws, especially on the defensive end, but if he can correct some of those Towns will certainly be a premier NBA center, if he isn’t already. With or without Butler, the Timberwolves have themselves a future as long as Karl-Anthony Towns is in town. Pun intended.

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