After winning the NBA Finals in June, the New York Knicks have opted to run it back with their championship core in hopes of winning their second-straight title. Still, the Knicks couldn’t avoid losing some of their players this summer (most notably Mitchell Robinson), and they could end up losing another in the not-too-distant future.
This time, according to Knicks insider James Edwards, it’s Karl-Anthony Towns‘ future that is under doubt. As he explained in a recent piece for The Athletic, the Knicks may not be keen on giving Towns a $272 million extension, for which he’s currently eligible. Without it, Towns could become a free agent as early as 2027 thanks to his $61 million player option.
“My educated guess is that New York will offer Towns an extension,” wrote Knicks beat writer James Edwards III. “The question is: will the Knicks offer him the max deal that they can offer him: four years, $272 million? That’s where I pause slightly.”
Towns is arguably the Knicks’ second-best player, and he’s also their most accomplished as a six-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA player. As a 7’0″ big man who can stretch the floor and crash the glass, he’s made a positive impact in New York, and his role in their title run is undeniable. Still, with averages of 20.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game last season, there are some questions about whether or not he’s worth the absolute max.
“Would New York really have this core locked in for another three or four years? That seems unlikely,” Edwards added. “There’s a world where Towns is the odd man out unless he takes significantly less than the max extension. However, if you’re Towns and have helped bring success to the Knicks and are soon to be on the other side of 30, why do that?”
As much as Towns wants to stay with the Knicks, he may have to consider leaving if he wants to maximize his earnings while he’s still in his prime. With the veteran center set to turn 31 in November, this may be his last chance to secure a long-term contract, and he’s earned it for his role in a successful Knicks season. But under the new CBA, financial restrictions are tighter than ever, and it incentivizes teams to build around one star rather than two.
In New York, we all know Jalen Brunson is the face of the franchise, and the Knicks would sooner pay him the max than Towns. If they can turn KAT’s contract into difference-making role players on smaller deals, it might tempt New York to split up the duo for good, threatening the fragile team chemistry they’ve worked so hard to build.
Of course, it would be a massive risk for the Knicks to give up their starting center, but this is the reality of the new NBA. Even for the most successful teams, sustained success means spending wisely and balancing talent evenly rather than from the top down. For Towns, it would be a crushing development after achieving so much in New York, but the NBA is a business, and he knows from experience how ruthless it can be. Fortunately, there are signs he may be willing to take a pay cut to keep the team together, and that’s exactly what he may have to do.
