Karl-Anthony Towns Expresses Disappointment as Knicks Pause Negotiations
Karl-Anthony Towns said he was “very disappointed” after the New York Knicks announced they would not negotiate contract extensions until later in the season. The team made that announcement Friday, and Towns responded following Sunday’s practice.
“It was news to me,” Towns told reporters. “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.”
Towns, who has been the most vocal Knick about extension talks since the preseason began, is eligible for an extension worth up to $276 million. He and the Knicks remain at a stalemate. Knicks owner James Dolan has said he will not allow the team to enter the second salary cap apron. According to Shams Charania, the Knicks’ offer to Towns is $200 million over four years.
A Championship Season and a Tough Offseason
Towns was a catalyst in the Knicks’ 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.
Several other Knicks are also eyeing new deals. Josh Hart is eligible for an extension, though he has a team option for next season. Reserves Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek are also eligible for new contracts. Avoiding the second apron had a cost: the Knicks lost backup center Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics this summer, when he signed at 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 put all extension discussions on hold in a statement issued Friday. “As an organization, 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 thought that far ahead.
“Because I never thought we would get to that point,” Towns 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 did not deny his frustration. He has made public comments about his contract situation twice during the preseason, and those remarks may have prompted the Knicks’ rare public statement late last week.
“We’re all humans,” Towns 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?”
