Towns expresses disappointment over Knicks' extension timeline

Karl-Anthony Towns said the New York Knicks' decision to postpone talks on contract extensions for eligible players came as a surprise and left him disappointed. He emphasized that while basketball is a business, the team must also concentrate on on-court performance.

Towns, who joined the Knicks in 2024 and helped the franchise reach consecutive Eastern Conference finals and win an NBA title, has been the most vocal among the four eligible players—Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek and himself—about the stalled negotiations. He noted that he had been open to a deal that would aid the team's salary-cap situation and reflect his perceived market value, but that no such agreement had materialized.

League sources indicated that the Knicks' proposal for Towns centers on a contract worth roughly $200 million, while the player is eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension. Owner James Dolan has instructed the front office to avoid exceeding the second salary-cap apron, complicating the talks.

If Towns declines his $61 million player option by Oct. 19, negotiations could continue during the season; otherwise, the team cannot engage in extension discussions until after the season ends.

Both parties appear ready to move past the public dispute and focus on defending the championship. > "We’re all humans. My only philosophy since we won, only thing on my mind, is how do we win another one?" Towns said, adding that his focus remains on keeping the trophy in New York beyond the summer.