Knicks seek pay cut from Towns in extension talks

2026-09-30

The New York Knicks are seeking a pay cut from Karl-Anthony Towns in extension talks that have soured.

The ask follows Jalen Brunson's four-year, $156.5 million extension in July, which left roughly $113 million on the table to keep the team's cap flexible.

Last season, Towns was paid like the 9th player in the league and produced like the 7th, per WAGE.

His 78 WAGE Score put him in Smart Money: in 2025-26 his price already sat below his output.

The Boston Celtics' Neemias Queta produced like the 12th player on $2.4M. Cheaper production exists, five rungs lower.

A cut would widen Towns's margin. If the talks break down, the Knicks risk losing the 7th-best production in the league over a salary that already came in under it.