Sports · Basketball · 3 hrs ago
Towns says Knicks’ pause on extension talks caught him off guard
New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns says he was surprised and disappointed by the team’s decision to pause contract extension talks.
The Knicks said they would wait until later in the 2026/27 season before negotiating extensions with eligible players.
Towns is eligible for an extension worth up to $276 million, while reports say the Knicks offered four years and $200 million.
The two sides have not reached an agreement.
Towns has a $61 million player option for 2027/28, which he would need to decline to negotiate an extension during the season.
The Knicks have said they want to avoid the second salary cap apron, a limit that has affected their contract decisions.
Towns said he had not expected talks to last this long, but wants the team to focus on basketball and winning another championship.
The Knicks say negotiations can resume later in the season.
Karl-Anthony Towns said he was very disappointed after the New York Knicks paused contract extension talks until later in the season.
Towns said the decision was news to him and that his focus remained on winning another championship.
He is eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $276 million, while reports said the Knicks offered $200 million over four years.
The Knicks said their focus was preparing for the upcoming season and would not negotiate extensions until later in the season.
Owner James Dolan has said the team will not go into the second salary cap apron, a limit that has complicated contract talks.
- Who
- Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks.
- What
- The Knicks paused contract extension negotiations until later in the season. Towns said he was disappointed and caught off guard.
- When
- The Knicks announced the pause on Friday; Towns responded after Sunday's practice.
- Where
- New York.
- Why
- The Knicks said they were focused on preparing for the season. Owner James Dolan has said the team will avoid the second salary cap apron.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It was news to me
Very disappointed to say the least.
My only philosophy since we won, the only thing I’ve had in my mind, is about how do we win another one.
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.
Towns said he and the Knicks were not close to an extension deal and that he was surprised by the gap between them.
The Knicks announced they would pause all contract extension discussions until later in the season.
After practice, Towns said the decision was news to him and that he was very disappointed.
- Towns' maximum extension
- Up to $276 million over four years
- Reported Knicks offer
- $200 million over four years
- Towns' 2026/27 salary
- $57.1 million
- Player option for 2027/28
- $61 million
- Knicks' championship
- First NBA title in 53 years
Sources
Karl-Anthony Towns on Knicks tabling contract extension talks: 'It was news to me'
Karl-Anthony Towns ‘very disappointed’ Knicks shut down contract talks: ‘News to me’
Karl-Anthony Towns disappointed by Knicks’ extension pause: “It was news to me”
Towns ‘Very Disappointed’ By Knicks Pausing Extension Talks
'Disappointed' Towns says Knicks tabling extension talks 'news to me'
Josh Hart Reacts To Knicks’ Decision To Table Extension Talks
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