Sports · Basketball · 2 days ago
Knicks pause extension talks with Towns, Hart and two other players
The New York Knicks have paused contract extension talks until later in the 2026-27 season.
The decision affects Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek, who are eligible for extensions.
The team says it wants to focus on preparing for the season.
Towns and Hart are key players, but the Knicks have not agreed on new deals with them.
The team is also trying to manage its payroll and avoid moving into the NBA’s second tax apron, a level that can limit team-building options.
The pause means the players’ contract situations remain unresolved as the season approaches.
Talks could resume later in the season, though Towns’ and Hart’s contract options may affect how new deals can be structured.
The New York Knicks have paused all contract extension negotiations until later in the 2026/27 season.
The team said it wants to focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek are eligible for extensions.
Towns and Hart are prominent extension candidates, but the Knicks have not reached deals with them.
The pause leaves the players’ contract situations unresolved as the season approaches.
- Who
- The New York Knicks and extension-eligible players Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek.
- What
- The Knicks have put all contract extension talks on hold until later in the season.
- When
- The decision was announced on October 9, 2026.
- Where
- New York.
- Why
- The Knicks said their focus is on preparing for the upcoming NBA season.
New York Knicks
Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart
Reason for position
New York Knicks
The Knicks said they are pausing negotiations to focus on preparing for the season.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart
Towns said he was frustrated that he and the Knicks were not close to a deal; Hart said he would prefer to resolve his contract situation sooner rather than later.
As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of.
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
Hopefully, we can figure that out
We know it’s a business and we know if some of these things aren’t figured out by February, it might be a different conversation.
Hart said at media day that he would prefer to reach a contract agreement sooner rather than later.
Towns said he was frustrated with his extension negotiations and that the sides were not close to a deal.
The Knicks announced they would pause all extension negotiations until later in the season.
- Extension-eligible players
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek
- Towns’ maximum extension
- A projected $276 million over four years
- Towns’ 2026/27 salary
- $57.1 million
- Hart’s 2026/27 salary
- Roughly $20.9 million
- McBride’s salary
- $3.96 million
Sources
Takeaways from Knicks pausing contract extension talks: Is Josh Hart's time in New York running out?
New York Knicks put all contract extension talks on hold until later in the season
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