There remains a significant gap in contract negotiations between Art Nix and star center Karl-Anthony Townswrites James L. Edwards III of The Athletic.
Speaking to reporters after Monday morning’s shootaround, Towns expressed skepticism about signing an extension until the start of the 2026/27 season.
“It doesn’t look goodTowns said.
A couple of weeks ago, ESPN reported that talks between the Knicks and the former No. 1 overall pick “stagnation“and that the deal is unlikely to be completed in the short term. Subsequent reporting has suggested that both parties may be “eight figures apart on an annual basis.”
The maximum Towns is eligible to receive is a four-year deal worth a projected at $276 million. That would require the 30-year-old big man, who will make $57.1 million this season, to opt out of his $61 million option for 2027-28. If Towns were to test free agency next summer, the maximum a contending team could offer would be $264.9 million over four years.
Towns suggested on Monday that he would be willing to take less than the maximum, but noted that New York’s current offer disrespects him after he played a key role in helping the team win its first championship in 53 years.
“Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks, while also honoring me” Towns said, according to Edwards.”None of this happened.»
Stefan Bondi of The New York Post heard the Knicks offered the three-time NBA center about $200 million more than four years. Ian Begley of SNY.tv previously reported that the Knicks offered Towns an extension starting in the range $45-50 million annually.
The owner James Dolan declared shortly after the team won the title, he decided to avoid a second tax bracket this season. Jalen Brunson and And Anunoby will be eligible for an extension next offseason, and it will be nearly impossible to keep the starting lineup together in future seasons unless Dolan changes his mind or the players take a significant pay cut.
According to Bondi, when a reporter asked Towns if he thought it would be easy to reach a new deal given the team’s recent success, Towns said:No, hell Sherlock. I just won the championship. You might think it’s pretty easy. If you guys (reporters) don’t think I still have something to prove.”
