The New York Knicks are facing growing tension with their key players after the team announced it would not negotiate contract extensions until later in the season. Karl-Anthony Towns, the most vocal Knick in extension talks since the preseason began, responded after 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 is eligible for an extension worth up to $276 million, but he and the Knicks remain at a stalemate. Knicks owner James Dolan has said he will not allow the team to go into the second salary cap apron. Shams Charania reported that the Knicks’ offer to Towns is for $200 million over four years.
A Championship Season and Other Pending Deals
Towns was a catalyst 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.
Towns is not the only Knick with an extension decision looming. 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 cost the Knicks backup centre Mitchell Robinson, who joined the Celtics this summer on a salary starting at $15 million. To replace him, the Knicks signed Andre Drummond for the league minimum of $2.4 million.
Knicks Halt Extension Talks
The Knicks issued a statement on Friday confirming 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, the star 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 being disappointed. He has twice made public statements about his contract situation during the preseason, which 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?”