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Full section on KAT Extension (and impact on Hart and McBride extensions):

Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Miles McBride are all eligible for extensions.

As noted earlier this week, Towns’ side and the Knicks have been in regular contact throughout the offseason about the extension. Per a league source familiar with the matter, the talks have been positive. And the Knicks have made it known that they want Towns in New York for a long time.

Towns has also previously said that he wants to be a Knick for a long time, yet no deal has come to fruition.

ESPN reports that negotiations have become stagnant and an agreement ahead of camp is unlikely. I’m not refuting that reporting, but I’d be surprised if the situation hung over the team like a cloud during camp, as ESPN suggested.

Towns, per SNY sources familiar with the matter, has been at the Knicks facility ahead of the start of camp.

Based on recent history, I think any issue like this will generate much more noise outside of the Knick locker room than inside of it. The team is just coming off of a timeless championship run. Towns and the Knicks have until June 30 to come to an agreement, but it’s also worth pointing out Towns’ negotiations may impact extension talks for Hart and McBride.

Towns is making $57 million this season, he has a $61 million player option for next year, and is eligible for a four-year extension worth as much as $276 million.

At one point in offseason discussions, the Knicks made offers to Towns that started between $45 million and $50 million per season, per league sources. The length of those offers is unknown. Clearly, those offers were rejected. If Towns and the Knicks don’t find common ground on an extension, he won’t opt out of his $61 million player option for 2027-28.

Towns opting out would give the Knicks much more flexibility under the second apron to extend Hart, and possibly, McBride. But if he opts in for 2027-28, the Knicks will have much less financial flexibility under the second apron for other extensions.

mikesh8rp | NYK

15 | 5 hours ago

Entirely likely they wait until after the trade deadline, at which point the Knicks FO has a little more clarity on what the team looks like next year.

Also, a friendly reminder the Knicks FO generally doesn’t leak, while Shams will post anything an agent or other FO might say.

nowhathappenedwas | NBA

14 | 5 hours ago

Also, a friendly reminder the Knicks FO generally doesn’t leak, while Shams will post anything an agent or other FO might say.

Every fanbase says this about their team.

If KAT’s camp told Shams that talks were stagnant, who do you think Begley’s source is that “the talks have been positive?” It’s straight from the Knicks front office.

The Knicks can’t refute the Shams report, so they’re trying to spin it.

HokageEzio [OP] | NYK

6 | 4 hours ago

Shams said the negotiations have been cordial. The only difference in reporting here is that Shams claimed it would be a cloud over training camp and Begley does not believe that based on his experience around the team.

nowhathappenedwas | NBA

-4 | 4 hours ago

Shams said the talks have stagnated and there’s unlikely to be a deal before camp.

That doesn’t sound “positive.”

RVAteach | NYK

4 | 4 hours ago

This is not true, this Knicks front office is very tight lipped, to the point that Leon Rose made some of his first statements post title.

Rube18 | MIN

5 | 5 hours ago

KAT’s agent isn’t exactly a terrible source on KAT’s ongoing negotiations.

Haunting_Test_5523

6 | 5 hours ago

He kind of is. Dramatizing the negotiations and making it seem as if there’s some sort of breakdown is in his interest

bbank8744 | NYK

4 | 4 hours ago

How do we know it was KAT’s agent leaking this? KAT is with CAA kinda doubt they would be playing these games vs just talking with each other. The “cloud” felt like an embellishment from Shams.

guacamoleandtomato

37 | 5 hours ago

Remember when the Knicks were having locker room problems? Yeah they now have a ring. This a nothing burger

CutLonzosHair2017 | LAL

3 | 3 hours ago

Alternatively, every time the Knicks have had locker room problems, their on court play suffers. They figured things out for the playoffs, but I think that’s more of an exception, that happened at the perfect time, than the rule.

MJRuinedMyChildhood | CHA

1 | 4 hours ago

Yeah weird how winning and stop being bad works

ObiOneKenobae | NYK

8 | 4 hours ago

It’s just a slow news week. KAT’s a great teammate, he’s not going to randomly make his contract a problem for the whole locker room. And this isn’t the last year on his deal anyway. Either they come to an agreement later in the season/offseason, or he picks up his player option.

And considering he turns 31 in a couple months, it’s unlikely another team is going to swoop in 1-2 years from now and make some long-term $60M/year offer.

orwll

10 | 4 hours ago

NBA reporting is so weird. “Here’s my exclusive story about how the Towns contract shouldn’t be a story.”

NoLimitSoldier31

3 | 4 hours ago

KAT is a good teammate/organization guy. I’d be shocked if he let it affect his play.

RVAteach | NYK

3 | 4 hours ago

Knicks for clicks. KAT is going to probably sign his extension this year for 60 mil, and then they’ll negotiate. Leon Rose was his agent when he was at CAA and they just won a title, validating KATs entire career and making him a made man in his hometown. They’ll find a deal, probably at something like 55 a year for 4 years.

jambr380

0 | 5 hours ago

Maybe this is true, but knowing that KAT will likely just walk next year if he’s offered a max from another team isn’t particularly promising. Not having to deal with extension talks was one of the main reasons the Celtics moved Jaylen.

If a team like SAC is willing to max Duren, somebody will definitely take a chance on NBA champion, KAT

HokageEzio [OP] | NYK

0 | 5 hours ago

I believe only 8 teams are projected to have the salary for him to get a max contract currently and most of them suck.

Hawks

Nets

Bulls

Warriors

Clippers

Grizzlies

Bucks

Kings

CarBallAlex | BOS

-1 | 4 hours ago

Other than the Warriors finally getting Steph a star Center, I think the trade that maybe makes the most sense if the Knicks don’t want to pay him a max until he’s 35 is a swap for AD after this year. Saves them money long term by re-signing him to a smaller deal in 2028 and AD when healthy is still really talented. Allows them to kick the can down the road by giving the run back a shot this year and finding a good backup in the meantime for when they inevitably will need someone playable in AD’s absence to still contend for 2028 and 2029, or someone to outright replace the starting C.

Dolan let Mitchell Robinson go and expressed it was because there was no way they were going to go into the 2nd apron. They can’t afford to pay KAT $68M AAV until he’s 35 when Brunson is going to get another contract that’s huge as well (and deserves it more) in 2029. They’d have to break the entire team up to do that and what’s the point of paying those 2 that kind of money at their ages if you strip the rest of it down?

KAT unfortunately is just going to be a casualty because of the bookkeeping, this is probably his last year in New York. AD is not a bad stopgap in the meantime while they figure out who they can get for cheaper to be able to keep Brunson, Anunoby and at least 1 of Bridges or Hart and try to win another.

From Washington’s side, they get a little younger, someone generally more healthy that is a great player, and aren’t paying anyone that kind of money right now and can afford to throw KAT a max extension. Defense worked with Brunson and KAT, they’ll try to make it work with Trae and Dybantsa under contract for the same amount of time.

I could see it being beneficial for both sides

HokageEzio [OP] | NYK

5 | 4 hours ago

AD when healthy is still really talented

So never.

bbank8744 | NYK

1 | 4 hours ago

Why would they trade KAT for an older center, who wants to play the 4, can’t stay on the court and also is on a huge contract.

KeenObserver_OT

2 | 5 hours ago

Who is going to offer a max to him in this current environment. There are maybe 5 max players and he’s not one of them.

Jonathank92 | ORL

4 | 5 hours ago

Warriors. There is a reason Curry hasn’t signed yet. They’re hunting for big fish.

KeenObserver_OT

1 | 5 hours ago

Curry is ancient and if the Warriors think KAT moves that lineup then they are bigger fools than has been theorized.

SpiritFantastic4835 | LAL

3 | 4 hours ago

Detroit should do it if they can get rid of duren. Cade/ausar/KAT has a better chance of contending due to kats spacing

North_Atlantic_Sea

1 | 4 hours ago

Lol, there are far more than 5 players who deserve a max:

Luka, Giannis, Ant, Wemby, Jokic, Brunson, Cade, Haliburton, Tatum, Shai just to name 10

KeenObserver_OT

-1 | 4 hours ago

At this point and after the Jaylen Brown debacle, I would say that Tatum Brunson and Giannis would most likely get a max bit teams would hesitate and the market would be thin. Haliburton is not a max guy IMO. Dude is living off one playoff run, and coming off a major injury.

Luka, Jokic, SGA and Wemby are max locks. The economics have changed all of a sudden as teams realized they‘ve been crippled by top heavy contracts.

pepstein | NYK

3 | 5 hours ago

Nyk leadership doesn’t leak so media is struggling here

fps129 | NYK

4 | 4 hours ago

Atp the front office should just generate kayfabe storylines to appease the media, they’re dying for any type of drama with this team.

VeniceRapture | SAS

2 | 3 hours ago

KAT gonna show up to media day wearing a neck brace

Crown_of_Negativity | DAL

1 | 3 hours ago

Per a league source familiar with the matter, the talks have been positive.

This is spin coming directly from the NYK FO what are you on about

pepstein | NYK

3 | 3 hours ago

That’s the most nothing statement ever lol

yungincome21 | NYK

1 | 19 minutes ago

Begley be knowing. Not bum ass ESPN and Scams

enblightened

0 | 5 hours ago

should be fine for him to not extend, knicks dont have leverage here if they dont want to give him 50m+ AAV. The warriors or clippers would give him a 4 year max next off season even if he gets injured this season.

Little_Obligation_90

7 | 5 hours ago

Kevin Durant is making $45M. Really no reason for GMs to pay a guy over 30 much more than $45M AAV.

Better to avoid the next Paul George contract.

Who are you bidding against?

Jonathank92 | ORL

12 | 5 hours ago

this is why you’re not a GM lmao

Little_Obligation_90

1 | 4 hours ago

Leon Rose isn’t paying KAT either. lol. Meanwhile look at your team’s rancid salary cap with Paolo, Suggs, and other mid players making too much money.

No wonder you all don’t win.

Brooklyn917 | BKN

5 | 5 hours ago

Kat is 31 and KD was 37 when he took a paycut.Theyd be bidding against the Market.

I would not be surprised if KAT and The Nets used each other to push The Knicks to signing him to the current number he’s on.

xebex1778 | NYK

1 | 5 hours ago

The Nets are welcome to sign him to a 65 a year deal imo

Brooklyn917 | BKN

1 | 4 hours ago

They don’t need to sign him just the threat alone would be beneficial enough for both parties.

Austin Reaves just got a max because it was reports the Nets were threats to sign him in FA.

Little_Obligation_90

1 | 4 hours ago

If you want to build around 32 year old KAT making 35% of the cap, go for it. What good is that going to do you?

Brooklyn917 | BKN

1 | 4 hours ago

I doubt the Nets will go down that road of going all in with another teams’ used up Star but as I said they don’t need to acquire him to force The Knicks to retained him for more than their ideal $45-$50M AAV Range.

mikesh8rp | NYK

2 | 5 hours ago

I don’t think KAT walks, but I’m not sure KD is the best comparison point. He specifically didn’t want to go to a bad team, removing a lot of organizations that had cap space.

Maybe KAT feels the same way, but it’s also entirely possible he feels like after getting a ring he’s cool making max money in Sacramento, or somewhere else not really competing for a championship in the near term.

Little_Obligation_90

1 | 4 hours ago

IDK what KAT thinks. He is a CAA guy, right?

Either way, no reason to pay KAT now. They can always pay him up to and including June 30 2027. He is under contract for this season at ~35% of the cap.

KeenObserver_OT

0 | 5 hours ago

This. The front offices are much wiser to the realities of the CBA. Maxes are going to become much more rare than they are now.

North_Atlantic_Sea

1 | 4 hours ago

I think the 2nd max slot is what will become more rare. Every team easily has the flexibility to afford at least 1 max, so that’s 30 right there

nowhathappenedwas | NBA

2 | 5 hours ago

Per a league source familiar with the matter, the talks have been positive.

…

ESPN reports that negotiations have become stagnant and an agreement ahead of camp is unlikely. I’m not refuting that reporting

So the team told him that talks are “positive,” but he’s not refuting ESPN’s reporting that talks are “stagnant.”

Seems obvious that his sources are all from the team tying to spin the ESPN report.

If Towns and the Knicks don’t find common ground on an extension, he won’t opt out of his $61 million player option for 2027-28.

Seems crazy to state this as fact, as it will obviously depend on how well Towns plays this year. If he plays well, Towns would be better off opting out and seeking a longterm deal when he’s 31 than waiting a year when he’s 32.

HokageEzio [OP] | NYK

4 | 5 hours ago

He’s saying he doesn’t believe it will be a “cloud” over training camp like Shams called it and that it’s a bigger conversation outside of the Knicks organization than inside.

nowhathappenedwas | NBA

1 | 5 hours ago

Based on recent history, I think any issue like this will generate much more noise outside of the Knick locker room than inside of it.

This is speculation, not reporting.

The reporting is: “Per a league source familiar with the matter, the talks have been positive.” That’s obviously coming from the Knicks.

HokageEzio [OP] | NYK

4 | 4 hours ago

Shams also called the negotiations cordial. I don’t understand what you are trying to argue.