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Karl-Anthony Towns' Contract Extension Talks Not Looking Good for Knicks
Confirmed
In Short: Knicks star big man Karl-Anthony Towns says extension talks before the 2026-27 season are not looking promising.
Karl-Anthony Towns, the star big man for the New York Knicks, offered a disappointing update on Monday regarding his contract extension talks before the team's preseason opener in Philadelphia.
"It don't look good," Towns said, per The Athletic, when asked about getting an extension done before the season.
Towns, who was a key player in the Knicks' championship run last season, expressed his desire to work out a deal that would help keep the team together.
However, he also emphasized the importance of securing a deal that values him appropriately, noting that this could be one of his final major deals.
According to the New York Post, the Knicks' current offer is for $200 million over four years, which is nearly $77 million below the maximum they could offer.
Towns' comments indicate that the Knicks are not meeting him in the middle to his liking.
Owner James Dolan has made it clear that he will not cross the second spending apron, which means tough decisions will need to be made.
Dolan's stance is not surprising given his history of not appeasing fans.
Towns, a six-time All-Star, averaged 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists during the Knicks' playoff run last season.
Despite his contributions, Towns questioned whether the Knicks should reward him for ending a 53-year title drought.
"I just won a championship. You'd think it was pretty easy. Unless you guys [reporters] think I have something else to prove," Towns said.
The Knicks have other extensions to worry about in the next 12 months, with Josh Hart also extension-eligible this summer and OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson up for new deals in 2027.
What this adds
The Knicks' current offer is significantly lower than what Towns could potentially earn, creating a significant gap in negotiations.
What's confirmed
- "It don't look good," said Towns of getting an extension done before the season, per The Athletic.
- Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me.
What's still developing
- But Knicks ownership is something of a wild card in the sense that Dolan has never been one to feel the need to appease fans.
- The New Jersey native was sensational in the playoffs and assumed that performance would make it pretty easy to negotiate a deal this summer to remain with the Knicks long-term.
- "None of those things have come close to happening."