NEW YORK — It doesn’t appear that Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks will reach an extension before training camp next week.
According to Shams Charania and Vincent Goodwill of ESPN, extension talks between Towns and the Knicks have stagnated.
“Talks have stagnated between the New York Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns on a contract extension, and an agreement is considered unlikely as the team begins training camp next week, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. The sides have spent extensive time discussing a potential extension during the offseason, but there has been no movement lately in negotiations, sources said, as the Knicks stand to go for a repeat following their first NBA title in 53 years,” Charania and Goodwill wrote.
Towns will make $57.1 million during the 2026-27 season. He has a player option worth $61 million for the 2027-28 campaign.
Knicks Are Asking Towns To Take Discount
The Knicks, who won the championship last season against the San Antonio Spurs, are asking Towns to take a discount in extension talks, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
Knicks owner James Dolan has repeatedly said he plans to stay out of the second apron.
New York has a few looming contract decisions. Josh Hart is eligible for a contract extension, and Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will be eligible for extensions next offseason.
The Knicks and Towns can come to an extension agreement at any point this upcoming season, but no deal is imminent.
KAT Has Been Great With Knicks
New York acquired Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves before the 2024-25 season.
Towns is averaging 22.2 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in the regular season and 18.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs as a member of the Knicks.
A six-time All-Star, Towns made the All-NBA Third Team in his first season with the Knicks.
New York beat the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the 2026 NBA Finals, a series Towns and Co. won against San Antonio in five games.
The 2015-16 Rookie of the Year with the Timberwolves, Towns has career averages of 22.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in the regular season and 18.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs. He turns 31 in November.
