DALLAS — An anonymous NBA executive named the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers as the teams with the clearest path to Karl-Anthony Towns if the center does not sign an extension with the New York Knicks. The executive also listed the Dallas Mavericks among three other teams that could get involved, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported Thursday.
The Brooklyn Nets can clear the money, the executive told Bondy, but are not a fit for Towns. Dallas and the Golden State Warriors were grouped together as teams that would need more roster moves to get there.
“Only a few possible suitors stand out to me right now in terms of cap space teams and fit,” the executive said. “Chicago and the Clippers have the cleanest path. The Nets can get there with the money, but that’s not a good fit. Golden State and Dallas could get around [$50 million] in space with more tinkering.”
Chicago went 31-51 last season. Dallas went 26-56.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks Remain Apart On Extension
New York’s most recent offer to Towns was four years and about $200 million, according to the Post. Towns is eligible for a four-year extension worth up to roughly $276 million.
On Oct. 9, the Knicks announced they would not negotiate any extensions until later in the season. The pause also covers three guards on the roster who are eligible, and New York has until June 30 to finish any of those deals. A team spokesman tied the decision to the start of the Knicks’ title defense.
“As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of,” the spokesman said. “As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season.”
Four days earlier, before New York opened the preseason against the Philadelphia 76ers, Towns said a deal before the regular season “don’t look good.”
“Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said. “None of those things have come close to happening.”
Towns averaged 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 75 games last season. In the playoffs, he averaged 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists as New York beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals for its first championship since 1973.
He is earning $57.1 million this season. His contract carries a $61.1 million player option for 2027-28, and declining it would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Towns is a six-time All-Star and a former Rookie of the Year. He has averaged 22.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists over 720 regular-season games with Minnesota and New York. He turns 31 on Nov. 15.
Dallas Mavericks Face 2027 Decisions On Kyrie Irving And Zaccharie Risacher
HoopsHype projects Dallas to carry $134.9 million in cap commitments for 2027-28, leaving roughly $41.1 million in space under its projected cap.
Kyrie Irving holds a $42.4 million player option for that season. The Mavericks also have until Oct. 31 to decide on Zaccharie Risacher’s $17.4 million club option for 2027-28. Dallas acquired the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft from the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade in July.
Cooper Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is still on his rookie-scale contract. Dallas’ front office is led by president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz, and Mavericks coach Dusty May is preparing for his first season as an NBA head coach.
