The New York Knicks have paused all contract extension talks until later in the season, and Karl-Anthony Towns has responded with open disappointment. The team’s decision has added friction to a situation that has been developing since the preseason began.
Towns, who has been the most vocal Knick on the subject, spoke to reporters following Sunday’s practice. “It was news to me,” he said. “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.”
A stalemate over money
Towns is eligible for an extension worth up to $276 million, but he and the Knicks remain at an impasse. Knicks owner James Dolan has said he will not allow the team to enter the second salary cap apron. Shams Charania has reported that the Knicks’ offer to Towns is $200 million over four years.
Towns played a central role in the Knicks winning their first NBA title in 53 years last season. He made the All-Star team for the sixth time and averaged 15.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in the playoffs.
Wider implications for the roster
Towns is not the only player affected. Swingman Josh Hart is also eligible for an extension, although he has a team option for next season. Reserves Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek are eligible for new deals as well.
Avoiding the second apron has already had a cost. The Knicks lost backup centre Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics this summer, with Robinson signing for a salary starting at $15 million. To replace him, the Knicks signed Andre Drummond for the league minimum of $2.4 million.
The Knicks’ statement
The Knicks released a statement on Friday confirming that they were tabling all discussions on extensions. “As an organisation, our entire focus is preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of,” the statement read. “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 holds a player option for next season worth $61 million. If he and the team return to the negotiating table during the season, he would have to decline that option. Towns said he had not considered that scenario. “Because I never thought we would get to that point,” he said. “But I think right now what’s best for our team is we just focus on the basketball. It’s going to be a fun game tomorrow.”
Towns addresses the frustration
Towns did not deny his disappointment. He has made two public comments about his contract situation during the preseason, which may have prompted the Knicks’ rare public statement last week. “We’re all humans,” he said. “My only philosophy since we won, the only thing I’ve had in my mind, is about how do we win another one. So for me it’s the same focus that I came in this season with: How do we keep the trophy in New York past just this one summer?”