Knicks Freeze Towns, Hart Extension Talks — SkimNews
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- The New York Knicks released a statement Friday announcing a pause on all extension talks with Towns, Hart, McBride, and Kolek until "later in the season," citing title defense preparations
- Karl-Anthony Towns is the most pressing case, able to opt out and become a free agent next summer if no deal is reached
- Towns' most recent reported offer was $200 million over four years — $77 million below his potential maximum contract
- Towns said earlier in the week he was willing to accept less than the max but felt the Knicks' offer didn't appropriately value his talents
- Deuce McBride also becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer, and his extension is now in jeopardy because Towns is the stated priority
- Josh Hart and Tyler Kolek both carry team options for next year, allowing New York to retain them without new contracts
- James Dolan has made clear the Knicks won't enter the second apron, already letting Mitchell Robinson walk to the rival Boston Celtics rather than cross that threshold
Why it matters: A $77M gap between Towns' offer and his maximum — paired with Dolan's stated refusal to enter the second apron — means New York is gambling that a title defense push will drive its All-Star toward a team-friendly deal, with McBride's future now collateral on whether that bet pays off.
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