Ranking the top 50 NBA players of next season: 20-11

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers react against the Chicago Bulls in the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on February 9, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 118-111. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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19. Karl-Anthony Towns

It is easy to crack jokes about the lack of winning Karl-Anthony Towns has done. He nearly went from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day last season without being on the court for a win. Jimmy Butler has made it quite clear how he feels about Towns’ willingness to win. So what will be different now?

Towns finally has closer to the roster that he has long desired. Having D’Angelo Russell on the roster from opening night is a good start. The two have wanted to play with each other for years and are together from the start now. Towns will benefit from this without a doubt.

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It is impossible to comprehend the kind of off season Towns has had. He has experienced loss that is unimaginable from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Coming back to basketball after that seems trivial to say the least. If he finds the return to the court to be a suitable escape, however, he may be in line to dominate.

When he was on the court last year he was still a certified bucket. He posted a line of 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. It was the first season he played less than 77 games. He is typically extremely reliable. Towns even improved from distance last season, averaged 41.2 percent on 7.9 attempts per game. This season should be his reintroduction to the spotlight.