New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns has responded to the team’s decision to pause contract extension talks until later in the season, saying the news caught him off guard and left him “very disappointed.”
Towns, who has been the most vocal Knick in extension discussions since the preseason began, spoke to reporters following Sunday’s practice.
“It was news to me,” he said. “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 move into the second salary cap apron. Reporter Shams Charania has reported that the Knicks’ offer to Towns is worth $200 million over four years.
A championship season and a difficult offseason
Towns was a key figure 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.
Several other members of the roster are also eligible for new deals. Swingman Josh Hart can be extended, although he has a team option for next season. Reserves Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek are also eligible.
Avoiding the second apron has come at a cost. The Knicks lost backup centre Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics this summer, with his new salary starting at $15 million. To replace him, the Knicks signed Andre Drummond for the league minimum of $2.4 million.
Team issues statement
The Knicks released a statement on Friday confirming they were tabling all extension discussions.
“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, he would need 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 disappointment. He has made two public comments 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?”