Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns says extension snub was news to him
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The gist
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said the team's decision to pause extension talks was news to him and left him very disappointed.
The extension deadline has passed, so the defending champions' All-Star center can test 2027 free agency.
Background
Karl-Anthony Towns is the New York Knicks' center, a six-time All-Star entering his third season in New York after nine years with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Knicks are the NBA franchise defending its 2026 title, and their front office said it would not negotiate contract extensions until later in the season, a pause that also covers guards Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek. Towns is eligible for a four-year extension worth over $276 million, and reports say the Knicks offered a four-year deal worth around $200 million, roughly $77 million below the maximum. He also holds a $61 million player option for next season.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026The Knicks announced they were tabling all contract extension discussions; guards Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek were also eligible.
- Oct 11, 2026Towns spoke after practice, saying the Knicks' statement was news to him and that he was very disappointed.
- Oct 14, 2026NBA insider Jake Fischer reported the Knicks and Towns are expected to resume extension talks after the NBA trade deadline.
- Oct 15, 2026In New York's final exhibition game against the Toronto Raptors, Towns had 13 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in a 122-120 win.
- Oct 15, 2026An anonymous NBA executive told the New York Post's Stefan Bondy that Chicago and the Clippers have the cleanest path to sign Towns, with the Nets, Golden State and Dallas also mentioned.
- Oct 16, 2026Reports named the Warriors, Clippers and Hawks as potential Towns suitors if he enters 2027 free agency, with the Hawks flagged as a team to watch.
- Oct 19, 2026The deadline for Towns to sign an extension while also picking up his $61 million player option for next season passed at 11:59 p.m. EST.
- Oct 20, 2026The Knicks open their regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden and will raise their championship banner before the game.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Knicks said their entire focus is preparing for the upcoming season and that they will not negotiate contract extensions until later in the season.
- Party
- Towns said the decision was news to him, that he was very disappointed, and that while it is business, there is business on the court to handle.
- Analysts
- Insider Jake Fischer expects the next extension conversations with Towns, and potentially Josh Hart, to come after the trade deadline, while Post reporter Stefan Bondy wrote that logic indicates the two sides will agree to an extension.
- Caution
- An anonymous NBA executive said he would not feel great about paying Towns his actual max of about $61 million in 2027-28 and would feel better in the $45-50 million range.
Still unverified
Reports of the Knicks' roughly $200 million offer and the list of potential suitors (Warriors, Clippers, Hawks, Bulls, Nets, Mavericks) come from anonymous executives and insiders and have not been confirmed by the teams. Whether Towns will decline his player option and enter 2027 free agency is undecided; BasketNews reported a return to New York remains the most likely scenario.