Karl-Anthony Towns signed a massive $224 million super-max extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 7. In doing so, KAT made a commitment to the Northstar State that many professional athletes won’t even consider.
If the 6’11” center power forward remains with the Wolves through the end of his new contract, he will have spent all of his prime years willingly playing in Minnesota. After the 2027-28 season, he’ll be a 32-year-old, 12-season NBA veteran. A player beginning a transition into the next, and more underwhelming, stage of his career.
Through his first seven seasons with the Timberwolves, KAT’s love for Minnesota never waivered (supposedly). Even when the losses have piled up and fans have piled on (myself included), Karl’s been consistent in that regard. Karl-Anthony Towns has never asked out, he’s never caused controversy and he’s never been afraid to voice his commitment to, not only the Minnesota Timberwolves organization, but the city, state and fanbase too.
Karl-Anthony Towns Takes Out Ad
That love language continued on Sunday morning, when KAT took out a full-page ad in the Star Tribune newspaper. A huge graphic that included quite the love letter. In the text, he recommits to paying off the years of investment we’ve paid into our favorite oft-struggling basketball franchise.
LOCKED IN – A LETTER (Ad) FROM KARL- ANTHONY TOWNS
To the best fans in the NBA,
When I arrived in Minnesota in 2015, I carried a lot of weight on my shoulders. I was a young kid, a kid from New Jersey who was hoping to make my new home proud. I arrived at a hopeful time for the franchise. The best part of my tenure here is that we have such a bright future ahead…because of you all, the fans. You have stuck by me and this franchise throughout all the ups and downs we’ve experienced…together.
I am forever grateful for Flip Saunders taking a chance on me and I promise to continue to honor him by living my life in his vision and chasing those same dreams we talked about when I first joined the Timberwolves. Minnesota became home to me because of him and each and every one of you. You all have embraced me for the person and player I am and have become part of my family. You welcomed my family as “One of Us” since the moment my family and I stepped foot in Minnesota, and I cannot say thank you enough.
The way I can say thank you is my commitment to you and this franchise.
I am not who I am today without you.
Thank you for: challenging me, holding me accountable, supporting me and giving me a place to grow up and learn what it means to represent this state. I commit to you differently than I did as the 19-year-old kid who was drafted here, but as a veteran in the NBA who has seen it all. Thank you for supporting me as I became the man standing in front of you today.
I promise to continue leading us to new heights for years to come.
I’m Locked In.
KARL – ANTHONY TOWNS
Star Tribune Ad (7/24/2022)
Karl’s strengths outweigh his weaknesses. His “poor me” antics on the court are frustrating and they, far too often, hurt the Timberwolves’ chances of winning. And when speaking into a microphone, Towns usually comes off korny and insincere.
Thankful for KAT, even when it doesn’t seem so.
But what KAT brings to the floor offensively, and the consistency in which he does it, is unmatched through Minnesota Timberwolves history. His commitment to Minnesota and the Timberwolves organization is unmatched since Kevin Garnett.
Summer days on Lake Minnetonka or -20 degree Winter mornings in Minneapolis, Karl-Anthony Towns loves being a part of our culture and that’s something we, of all fanbases, can appreciate.
KAT: "My dream was always to try to retire here. … I feel very good about the possibility of that happening." #RaisedByWolves pic.twitter.com/U8Te1we944
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) July 22, 2022
Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan