Knicks Extension Talks
Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks Navigate Contract Extension Talks Ahead of Season
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Karl-Anthony Towns says he wants to remain with the New York Knicks and would prefer to settle a long-term extension before the season. The Knicks, coming off their first NBA title in 53 years with Towns as a key contributor, reportedly offered annual salaries of $45 million to $50 million, which he rejected; he is eligible for a four-year extension worth more than $276 million. Towns is due $57 million this season and has a player option of about $61 million for 2027-28, while New York reportedly wants a lower annual salary to stay below the second luxury-tax apron and preserve its roster. Towns says he trusts team president Leon Rose to handle the financial issues and wants concerns discussed rather than left unresolved. Talks may continue during the season, and the Knicks could address Towns’s contract next summer alongside other key players’ deals; an agreement before training camp was considered unlikely, though the talks were not expected to become a major distraction.
Key Points
1
Towns said he does not know the details of the second-apron rules, adding, “On my grandkid, I couldn't, you ask me to give three facts or two facts about the second apron, I can't do it.” He said he leaves those matters to team president Leon Rose, whom he trusts.
2
Towns acknowledged that contract uncertainty may linger during the season and said the team should discuss issues rather than let them fester: “The first thing is we try to talk about everything. We don't leave any elephants in the room.”
3
Towns averaged 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists during the Knicks’ playoff run that culminated in a five-game NBA Finals victory over the Spurs.
4
The second-apron constraints have already cost New York backup center Mitchell Robinson, who signed with the Boston Celtics this summer.
5
Coach Mike Brown said he would leave contract and second-apron decisions to the front office, while describing an offensive role for Towns that includes operating at the elbow and having the offense flow through him.
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