KAT Drops Brutal Reality Check On Knicks Extension Talks

PHILADELPHIA — Karl-Anthony Towns doesn’t expect to sign a contract extension with the New York Knicks before the start of the regular season.

Towns will make $57.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $61 million for the 2027-28 campaign.

“It don’t look good,” Towns said Monday morning in Philadelphia after New York’s shootaround. “Simply put, I want to do something that can keep the team together and work with the Knicks and also values me. None of those things have come close to happening.”

Towns was asked if he thought it would be easy to get an extension after helping the Knicks win the championship last season.

His answer was telling.

“No s–t, Sherlock,” Towns said.

Knicks Have Offered Towns $200 Million

The Knicks, who won the championship last season against the San Antonio Spurs, have offered Towns $200 million, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

Towns is eligible for a $277 million extension.

Knicks owner James Dolan has repeatedly said he plans to stay out of the second apron.

New York has a few looming contract decisions. Josh Hart is eligible for a contract extension, and Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will be eligible for extensions next offseason.

The Knicks and Towns can come to an extension agreement at any point this season, but no deal is imminent.

KAT Has Been Great With Knicks

New York acquired Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves before the 2024-25 season.

Towns is averaging 22.2 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in the regular season and 18.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs as a member of the Knicks.

A six-time All-Star, Towns made the All-NBA Third Team in his first season with the Knicks.

New York beat the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the 2026 NBA Finals, a series Towns and Co. won against San Antonio in five games.

The 2015-16 Rookie of the Year with the Timberwolves, Towns has career averages of 22.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in the regular season and 18.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs. He turns 31 in November.