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Karl-Anthony Towns Reaffirms Desire to Stay With Knicks as Extension Waits Until 2026

With no deal before the Oct. 20 deadline, his next chance to negotiate arrives after the 2026 NBA Finals under a contract that runs at least through 2027.

Overview

  • Towns said, “Hell yeah, I want to stay here,” citing family and fan ties as reasons he prefers to remain in New York.
  • He and the Knicks did not reach a preseason extension worth roughly two years and $150 million, though he described his relationship with Leon Rose and Gersson Rosas as “great.”
  • Towns’ contract carries at least two more seasons worth about $110 million, with a $61 million player option for 2027-28 that pushes free agency to 2027 at the earliest.
  • ESPN reporting has characterized the Knicks’ stance as having no urgency on a new deal, with extension eligibility returning after the 2026 NBA Finals.
  • This season he is averaging about 21.7 points and 11.9 rebounds on reduced efficiency (~45% field goal, ~33% from three) as his role shifts, and some outlets have speculated that prolonged struggles could prompt trade talk.