Sports · Basketball · 6 hrs ago
Karl-Anthony Towns Says He’ll Take Less Than the Max to Stay With Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns says he will take less than the maximum to stay with the New York Knicks.
The 30-year-old center wants to keep the team’s core together after helping New York win the 2026 NBA title.
The Knicks reportedly offered four years and about $200 million, while Towns could qualify for a four-year maximum extension worth $276 million.
The difference reflects a dispute over how much the Knicks should pay and concerns about the NBA’s second apron, which can bring added team-building limits.
The two sides have paused contract talks after failing to reach an agreement.
Towns has said he wants a deal that both values him and helps keep the team together.
If no deal is reached, he could decline his player option and enter unrestricted free agency after the season, when other teams could make offers.
Karl-Anthony Towns says he is willing to accept less than a maximum contract to stay with the New York Knicks.
He says keeping the team’s core together is his main priority, while also wanting a deal that values him.
The Knicks’ latest reported offer was a four-year contract worth about $200 million, below Towns’ eligible maximum extension of $276 million over four years.
The team paused extension talks with Towns and several other players before the 2026-27 season.
The sides have not agreed on a contract, and the timing for renewed talks has not been disclosed.
- Who
- Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks.
- What
- Towns says he is willing to take less than the maximum to remain with the Knicks, but they have not agreed on an extension.
- When
- The comments and reports came on October 20, 2026, before the 2026-27 season began.
- Where
- New York; the contract talks concern Towns’ future with the Knicks.
- Why
- Towns says he wants to keep the team together. The Knicks are concerned a maximum contract would create second-apron issues.
Karl-Anthony Towns
New York Knicks management
Contract value
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns says he is willing to meet somewhere in the middle and wants a deal that keeps the team together while valuing him.
New York Knicks management
The Knicks’ latest reported offer was about $200 million over four years; the team is concerned about second-apron costs.
Team priorities
Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns says keeping the team’s core together has been his main priority.
New York Knicks management
Knicks owner James Dolan has shown no interest in occupying the second apron, according to ESPN.
After the NBA Finals concluded, Towns became eligible for a four-year, $276 million extension.
Towns said he wanted a deal that could keep the team together and also value him.
The Knicks paused extension talks with Towns, Josh Hart, Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek.
Towns said he was willing to take less than the maximum as the Knicks prepared to begin their season.
- Reported Knicks offer
- About $200 million over four years
- Towns’ maximum extension eligibility
- $276 million over four years
- Knicks owner
- James Dolan
- Other players whose talks were paused
- Josh Hart, Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek
- Season
- 2026-27
3 sources
What people are saying
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.
I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me,
None of those things have come close to happening.