National Basketball Association

Kentucky Basketball: GMs Choose Karl-Anthony Towns Over LeBron, KD

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Who would NBA general managers start their franchise with if the decision were made today? Former Kentucky basketball star Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Kentucky Wildcats have played home to what’s beginning to feel like an infinite number of all-time players. Though he only played one season in Lexington, few Kentucky stars have been better than Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns played an instrumental role in Kentucky going 38-1 and reaching the Final Four in 2014-15—success that ultimately led to his going No. 1 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Since completing his extraordinary freshman season, Towns has gone on to become a household name in the NBA. He won Rookie of the Year in 2015-16 and is widely regarded as one the fastest rising stars in the Association.

When asked which player they’d start their franchise with today, 48.3 percent of NBA general managers voted for Towns—a higher percentage than any other player in the Association.

NBA GMs were asked, "If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?" Their answer: @KarlTowns

— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 18, 2016

John Schuhmann of NBA.com released the full results:

1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota – 48.3%
2. Kevin Durant, Golden State – 20.7%
3. LeBron James, Cleveland – 17.2%

Also receiving votes: Stephen Curry, Golden State; Anthony Davis, New Orleans; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City

Last year: Anthony Davis – 86.2%

That’s extraordinarily high praise from the individuals who shape NBA rosters.

Towns finished 27.6 percent ahead of Kevin Durant and 31.1 percent ahead of LeBron James in the voting results. Yes, he is younger, but Towns isn’t just some rookie who offered a brief reason for optimism.

Towns is already one of the premier players in the NBA—and there’s no hyperbole about that.

Towns finished the 2015-16 season with averages of 18.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 offensive boards, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blocks, 0.7 steals, and 0.4 3-point field goals made per game. He did so on a slash line of .542/.341/.811.

In turn, Towns became the first rookie since Elton Brand in 1999-2000 to average at least 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

Of the other six rookies who have reached those marks, five are either in the Hall of Fame or destined for a selection. Those players are Tim Duncan, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, and Ralph Sampson.

That’s the trajectory Towns is on.

Kentucky basketball should be proud to have been Towns’ college stop.