‘Want This Team To Stay Together’: Karl-Anthony Towns Open To Taking Less Money To Remain With New York Knicks
NEW YORK — Karl-Anthony Towns told Malika Andrews of ESPN that he’s willing to take less money to remain with the New York Knicks.
The Knicks, who won the championship last season against the San Antonio Spurs, have offered Towns $200 million over four years.
Towns is eligible for a $277 million extension.
Malika: “You’re willing to take less (money)?”
KAT: “Oh yeah, because I want this team to stay together. That’s always been my main priority was to keep everyone here, to keep this core, this special team that we have. So it was the first thing on my mind as soon as it was. And there was nowhere in my mind a max was even thought of”
Jalen to KAT: “Sign the contract” 😁
— Oh No He Didn’t 🤯 (@ohnohedidnt24) October 20, 2026
The Knicks open the regular season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
New York will raise its 2025-26 championship banner.
Towns Not Happy Knicks Will No Longer Discuss Contract Extension
Towns isn’t happy that the Knicks will no longer discuss contract extensions with players.
The Knicks announced on October 9 that the franchise would not negotiate contract extensions until later in the season.
“It was news to me,” Towns said on October 12. “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.”
New York’s front office is led by owner James Dolan and president Leon Rose.
Towns, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek are eligible for extensions right now.
“I never thought we would get to that point,” Towns said. “But I think right now what’s best for our team is we just focus on the basketball.”
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will be eligible for extensions next offseason, while Towns, Hart, McBride and Kolek are eligible for new deals through June 30, 2027.
Towns Has Been Productive 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, 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the 2026 NBA Finals, a series Towns and Co. won in five games against San Antonio.
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.
It will be intriguing to see how this situation plays out between Towns and the Knicks.
