General managers around the NBA are expecting big things from 21-year-old center Karl-Anthony Towns.
In the annual GM survey released Tuesday, executives around the league chose Towns as the player they'd most want to start a franchise with, receiving 48.3 percent of the votes. Kevin Durant (20.7 percent) and LeBron James (17.2) finished directly below the Minnesota Timberwolves phenom.
Towns showed tremendous potential during his debut season, averaging 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 blocks, while running away with Rookie of the Year. The 7-footer was particularly impressive following the All-Star break, averaging 20.8 points and 11.0 rebounds on 54.1 percent shooting.
With Towns leading the charge, executives are also anticipating a big year from the Timberwolves, choosing them as the most improved team in 2016-17. Tom Thibodeau was also chosen as the coach expected to make the biggest impact this season.
owns was also picked as the fifth best center in the league by general managers, collecting 6.7 percent of the votes.
