Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t wait for a question to bring it up - after the Knicks were steamrolled by the Mavericks, he made sure to mention Cam Payne’s absence. It came out of nowhere, and yeah, the timing was strange.
But if you’re paying attention, there’s more to that shoutout than just nostalgia. It might be the clearest sign yet that Jordan Clarkson’s role in New York is on shaky ground.
Towns' comment came during a postgame exchange with Newsday’s Steve Popper, who noted that the Knicks’ core is largely intact from last season. Towns pushed back.
“I wouldn't say the same roster,” he said. “That's disrespectful to guys that were here last year that were the real heroes of our season - the Cam Paynes, and all the other guys who came through when we really, really needed them.”
Now, on the surface, it sounds a little ridiculous. The numbers back that up - roughly 86 percent of the Knicks’ total minutes this season are being played by returning players.
Only four teams in the league are leaning more heavily on roster continuity. But Towns didn’t just name-drop Payne for the sake of it.
There’s a reason that name came to mind, and it’s tied directly to what’s going wrong with the Knicks' second unit - and with KAT himself.
Why Cam Payne Mattered to KAT
Last season, Payne wasn’t a high-minute guy in New York, ranking eighth in total floor time. But when he was out there, especially in non-Brunson lineups, he had a clear priority: get the ball to Towns. And not just in a general sense - Payne actively orchestrated possessions to feed KAT in his spots, and he did it with pace.
The results? Towns’ scoring jumped by nearly 13 points per 100 possessions when sharing the floor with Payne.
He shot over 50% on twos off Payne’s passes and better than 40% from deep - those are elite numbers, especially in secondary units. Only Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart delivered more assists to Towns, and they played significantly more minutes.
So when KAT brings up Payne, it’s not just sentimentality. It’s recognition of a guy who helped him thrive - someone who knew how to play off him and make him a focal point even when the offense wasn’t running through Brunson.
Clarkson’s Fit Is Still Murky
That brings us to Jordan Clarkson. When the Knicks signed him, there were immediate questions about fit - not because Clarkson isn’t talented, but because his skill set doesn’t naturally complement Towns in the same way.
Clarkson has never been a traditional point guard. He’s a scorer first, a microwave off the bench who can create his own shot and carry stretches of offense.
That worked in Utah, where he had the freedom to operate. But in New York, especially in non-Brunson minutes, the calculus is different.
The Knicks need someone who can not only score but also elevate Towns - and that’s not Clarkson’s game.
The numbers back that up. Just 12.4% of Clarkson’s passes go to Towns - a sharp drop from the 20.4% rate Payne posted.
And while Towns’ usage does tick up when Clarkson is on the floor, that’s more a function of Brunson being off than anything Clarkson is actively doing to set him up. The two-man game just isn’t there.
The efficiency hasn’t improved. The chemistry is lacking.
The Bigger Picture: KAT Needs a Connector
Towns is in the middle of what’s shaping up to be the worst season of his career. And while that’s not entirely on Clarkson - or anyone else, for that matter - it’s clear that the Knicks haven’t found the right formula to get the most out of him when Brunson sits.
Clarkson was brought in to be another scoring option, not a lead playmaker. That’s fine in theory. But in practice, someone needs to step into that connector role - the one Payne filled so well - and right now, no one’s doing it.
Tyler Kolek might be the closest thing the Knicks have to that player, but he hasn’t earned Mike Brown’s trust yet. And that’s a problem, because the Knicks’ need for another playmaker isn’t just about easing Brunson’s burden or deepening the rotation.
It’s about maximizing Towns. If they’re not going to trade him - and there’s no indication that’s in the cards - then they have to invest in making him work.
That means finding someone who can get him the ball in rhythm, in his spots, and with purpose. Someone who sees the game like Payne did in those second units. Until that happens, expect more awkward postgame comments, more clunky offensive possessions, and more questions about what exactly Clarkson’s role is supposed to be.
Because right now, KAT’s comments might’ve sounded offbeat - but they weren’t off-base.