Analysts Warn Knicks After Karl-Anthony Towns Waits to Get Extension: “It’ll Take Another 50 Years…”

Karl-Anthony Towns could be a potential trade candidate this season if he doesn't sign a contract extension soon.

Analysts Warn Knicks After Karl-Anthony Towns Waits to Get Extension: “It’ll Take Another 50 Years…”

Karl-Anthony Towns (Image credits - Yahoo Sports)

Karl-Anthony Towns has completed 11 seasons in the NBA. Drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Towns became one of the league’s best offensive centers.

He was traded to the New York Knicks in 2024 after spending nine seasons with the Timberwolves. In his first season with the Knicks, he reached the Eastern Conference Finals before playing a vital role in their championship run this year.

The Knicks completed a historic title run, lifting the championship for the first time in 53 years. During the playoffs, they were an unstoppable force, going on a 13-game winning streak. They clean swept the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and Finals, respectively.

Towns was a force to reckon with during the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. While Jalen Brunson earned plaudits for his performances, Towns was instrumental in containing and slowing down Victor Wembanyama.

As he gears up for his third season with the Knicks, much of the talk over the past few days has centered on what the Knicks want to do with their big man. NBA insider Shams Charania reported that while Towns is willing to take a pay cut, the Knicks are asking him to take a substantial discount.

This is a growing cloud around the New York Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns has made it clear that he is willing to take a considerable discount on his contract extension. But right now, the Knicks want him to take a substantial pay cut. The Knicks are offering a four-year, $200 million deal, that is $76 million less than his max.

Shams Charania on NBA Today

The Knicks have done a good job in retaining their core players for the upcoming season. But their reluctance to go over the second apron has seen a few roadblocks this summer. Mitchell Robinson left the Knicks for the Boston Celtics as a free agent, while Miles McBride has yet to finalize a deal and is expected to be on his way out next year.

With a number of contract extensions coming up next year, the Knicks have offered Towns a four-year, $200 million deal. However, that would be a substantial pay cut as he is eligible for a four-year, $276 million contract extension.

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The Knicks will take another 50 years to win a championship if they don’t extend Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract

At 30, Towns is still in the prime of his career. While his numbers may have dropped compared to his previous seasons, his impact on the court was monumental during the playoffs. He showed significant improvement on the defensive end of the court last season and is worth whatever he’s looking for.

Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns (Image credits – ESPN)

Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins had a bold take regarding Towns’ contract extension with the Knicks.

If they don’t come to an agreement with Karl-Anthony Towns, it’ll take another 50 years for the New York Knicks to win a championship. See, Jalen Brunson is the best player on the team but Towns is the most important player on the team.

Kendrick Perkins on First Take

While it is a hot take from Perkins, there is no doubt that Towns is arguably one of the most important players on the Knicks roster. For a team trying to go back-to-back, not paying guys doesn’t seem like a way to do it. 

Stephen A. Smith shares his thoughts on Karl-Anthony Towns’ contract extension

The Knicks are looking to become the first team to defend their championship since the Golden State Warriors in 2018. If they have to have any chance of repeating next year, they will need to finalize a deal with Karl-Anthony Towns sooner rather than later.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, who is an avid fan of the Knicks, weighed in on Knicks ownership and a potential Towns extension.

Let me put everybody in New York on blast. That damn James Dolan is getting in the way again. We have some concerns. I’m not gonna tell you that Towns deserves the max. I understand that you got Brunson and Anunoby coming down the pike but you don’t disrespect that man by cutting him short by $77 million. You give him a respectable offer.

Stephen A. Smith on First Take

With Knicks owner James Dolan being vocal about not wanting to go over the second apron, it will be interesting to see if Towns and the Knicks front office can agree on a deal in the coming months. If one other player on this Knicks roster deserves the max besides Brunson, it is Towns.

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