Karl-Anthony Towns expresses frustration over contract talks with Knicks
The New York Knicks and star center Karl-Anthony Towns are in the midst of contract talks, but things are not going smoothly at all.
Towns is in the second-to-last year of his contract with the Knicks — he has a player option in 2027-28 — after winning the NBA Finals last season and the hope on both sides is that they can continue this relationship for years to come.
However, as of right now, there appears to be a major chasm, as New York is apparently not close to offering Towns the deal he is seeking, as he told Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
“Simply put – I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me. And none of those things are close to happening.”
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The Knicks and Towns, who is clearly frustrated with how talks are going, are trying to walk a fine line here.
Clearly the center wants to get a deal that shows his worth, but both sides also want the new contract to give New York an opportunity to keep a good roster together moving forward.
That will not be easy to do, as clearly both sides have very different ideas on what that kind of contract looks like.
What is Knicks’ offer for Karl-Anthony Towns?
Jun 18, 2026; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Leon Rose speaks during a ceremony at New York City Hall after the championship parade. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Bondy reports that the Knicks are offering Towns “around $200 million,” which is significantly less than the max deal he can get.
In fact, it’s $77 million less, which is a heaping amount of money.
“The Knicks have offered KAT around $200 million, league sources confirmed to The Post, which is $77 million less than his max,” Bondy wrote.
Bondy did not report on what Towns is looking for exactly, so that remains a mystery.
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That said, clearly the “around $200 million” is well short of what Towns is looking for.
His current deal is a four-year, $220.4 million contract, so what the Knicks are offering would amount to a decrease in total value.
It’s safe to say Towns is looking for north of that figure.
Keeping the band together
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown (left to right) and forward OG Anunoby and guard Jalen Brunson and center Karl-Anthony Towns and team president Leon Rose stand for the national anthem during a ceremony at New York City Hall following their NBA championship parade. Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
In the wake of winning the NBA Finals, the Knicks have done a good job of keeping the team mostly intact, with the exception of Mitchell Robinson, who headed for richer pastures in a deal with the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks managed to re-sign Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, Landry Shamet and Mohamed Diawara, and they brought in Andre Drummond to replace Robinson.
Of course, Towns is locked in for at least one more season, but he can opt out of his deal next year, which puts New York in a precarious spot.
In no world can the Knicks let Towns leave after everything he and this team has accomplished. We’re confident the Knicks will find a way to get something done.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.