The New York Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns are staring at a fast-moving extension clock, and the money is already making things messy.
Towns is coming off a strong season and an excellent run in the NBA Finals, so an extension would seem to be the natural next step. But the Knicks’ financial situation makes this a tricky one, and the expectation is that Towns would have to give a little if he wants to stay in New York.
“Karl-Anthony Towns is going to have to take a discount if he wants to remain with the Knicks. Jalen Brunson did so for them to win a championship… It’s gonna have to be Towns to be the one to sacrifice… I don’t think an extension gets done anytime soon,” NBA insider Brett Siegel said.
For now, the talks don’t sound close at all. The gap between the two sides appears to be wide enough that the conversation has basically gone nowhere.
“Things don't stand anywhere. There doesn't look to be a considerable offer on the table, at least not one to Karl-Anthony Towns' liking. I'm told there hasn't even been talks that have advanced the discussions,” ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill said.
The calendar is now part of the story. The Athletic’s Fred Katz said the Knicks have until October 19 to avoid making the situation even harder on themselves.
“Failing to extend KAT before the start of the season would wipe the most intuitive contract structure off the table. KAT receiving the money he wants…and the Knicks maintaining the payroll flexibility they insist upon becomes even tougher after Oct. 19,” Katz wrote.
That deadline matters because the financial issue is already the main obstacle, and waiting only makes it more complicated. If the sides don’t find common ground soon, an extension may end up being unrealistic altogether.
For now, the idea of Towns staying in New York is still alive. But the window is shrinking, and the longer this drags on, the tougher it gets.
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