The New York Knicks are pumping the brakes on contract talks for Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart, announcing Friday that nothing is happening until “later in the season,” and wow, that’s a bold play right after a championship run. They nearly kept the whole crew together, only losing Mitchell Robinson from their rotation, but now it looks like keeping everyone happy is hitting a major snag as the 2026-27 season is just about here. Towns and Hart were both looking for extensions after their “magical journey” to a title, and while the Knicks locked Jalen Brunson down on a discount deal two years ago, these new talks are proving way tougher.
The Standoff Starts Now For A Championship Core
The team laid it out, plain and simple: “As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of.” That’s the official line. They followed up, “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.” It’s a clear message, right? Beyond Towns and Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek are also eligible for extensions. The wrinkle is, after October 19, only expiring contracts can even be extended. Spotrac’s Keith Smith pointed out that Towns would have to decline his player option for 2027-28 to get a long-term deal during the season. Same goes for Hart, whose team option for 2027-28 would need to be declined if the Knicks want to extend him in-season. This isn’t just a delay; it’s a strategic chess match.
KAT Is Willing To Take Less, So What’s The Hold Up?
Here’s where it gets wild: NBA on Prime’s Chris Haynes reported that Towns is actually willing to take less than a max contract! Seriously, less than max money to keep this championship core together in New York. But get this: there’s still a “sizable gap” between what he’s willing to do and what the Knicks are offering or even willing to discuss right now. Towns is currently under contract for $57.1 million this season, after making $53.1 million last season. He could become a free agent as early as next summer if he declines his $61 million player option for 2027-28. If he hits the open market, he’d be one of the biggest names out there, especially in what’s become a pretty quiet market under the NBA’s current rules.
So, what’s next? The season is about to kick off with this massive cloud hanging over the team. Every game, every interview is gonna be about this contract drama. Can the Knicks navigate this high-stakes game of chicken with their stars and still deliver another championship for the fans? That’s the real question as they get ready to tip off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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