Josh Hart Helps Knicks Fans Nickname Karl-Anthony Towns

The trade for Karl-Anthony Towns has pushed the New York Knicks firmly into championship conversations. Fans are excited, and while it won't be real until he takes the hardwood in the regular season, are trying to find a nickname for the big man.

Fortunately, Josh Hart is here to help. He responded to a tweet asking about potential nicknames by making several suggestions. "The Big Bodega, The Big Kat, Kit Kat, The Big Meow, Big Purr," Hart tweeted on October 14 .

It's unclear which one will stick, if any. But fans are eager to see Towns help the Knicks take the next step this season, and are welcoming him with open arms. After all, New York traded their first franchise star in years in Julius Randle (along with three-point marksman Donte DiVincenzo) to bring him to the Big Apple.

With the Knicks, Towns will be asked to supplant a center position that will be without Mitchell Robinson to start the season. And on top of that, he'll need to shoulder some of the playmaking Randle provided, often in a point-forward role.

He's flashed some of those chops in the preseason.

While his passes don't always get recorded as assists on that stat sheet, Towns does a bunch of little things that influence and preface good ball movement on offense. X user "Knicks Highlights" captured this no-look, behind-the-back pass from Towns to Mikal Bridges that led to a catch-and-shoot three for Miles McBride.

The average NBA center isn't making that play. New York will need him to continue influencing the offense beyond his threat as a floor spacer, if they're to replace both Randle and last year's starter Isaiah Hartenstein.

Towns and the Knicks open up the 2024-2025 season against the defending champion Boston Celtics on October 22. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM EST.

Related: Anthony Edwards Hints at Knicks Future After Timberwolves Preseason Loss