Knicks pause Towns extension talks after reported four-year, $200M offer
The New York Knicks have paused contract extension talks with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, and Towns said the decision was news to him. Yahoo Sports reported the team told the media it would not discuss extensions until later in the season; Sports Illustrated reported the statement ruled out an extension with Towns during the season.
"It was news to me. Very disappointed to say the least. Let's state the obvious. It's business, but there is business on the court for us to handle," Towns said, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Knicks offered Towns a four-year, $200 million extension, according to Yahoo, citing reports it did not identify, and Yardbarker. The seasons the offer would cover and its year-by-year structure were not disclosed.
The two outlets describe the other side of the gap differently. Yahoo reported Towns could have asked for up to $276 million, while Yardbarker reported he wants a maximum extension of $276 million.
Towns holds a player option for next season and could decline it to become a free agent if he is not extended, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported, as quoted by Sports Illustrated. The value of that option has not been reported.
Windhorst named the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers and Atlanta Hawks as teams that would probably line up to make big offers. Yardbarker named the Chicago Bulls and the Clippers as possible free agency suitors.
Windhorst reported that if Towns walks, the Knicks could clear around $40 million in cap space to reshape the roster around Jalen Brunson. Hart carries a $22 million team option, and the Knicks also hold options on Pacome Dadiet and Tyler Kolek, he reported.
Yardbarker reported that owner James Dolan has said he will not cross the league's second apron to keep the championship roster intact.
Towns averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in the regular season last year, per Yahoo, and 15.9 points in the postseason of the Knicks' title run, per Yardbarker. He is 30 and entering his 12th season, Yardbarker reported.
Per WAGE, his $53.1 million salary last season ranked 11th among the rated players, and his production ranked 7th, a total earned in 75 of the Knicks' 82 games.
That salary bought a 2025-26 WAGE Score of 78, Smart Money, the latest of 11 rated seasons since 2015-16, and the score does not carry over to any new deal.
Sports Illustrated framed free agency, should Towns decline the option, as a question for next summer.