Karl-Anthony Towns Responds to Knicks Statement on Contract Talks Ahead of NBA Season

Karl-Anthony Towns isn't thrilled the New York Knicks aren't going to be negotiating contract extensions in the immediate future.

"It was news to me," Towns said, per James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. "Very disappointed, to say the least. Let's state the obvious: It's a business, but there is business on the court for us to handle."

His comments come after the Knicks released a statement through ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday that said they are pausing negotiations with players with the season approaching.

"As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of," the statement said. "As a result, we will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season and will remain solely focused on preparing for the start of the season."

Towns, Josh Hart, Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek are all eligible for an extension. What's more, star player Jalen Brunson is eligible for an extension next year.

Edwards reported that Towns didn't think he and the team would officially come to terms on a deal prior to the 2026-27 campaign but remained willing to work with the Knicks on a deal that could help the cap situation while still approaching his perceived value.

"None of those things have come close to happening," he said.

According to Edwards, New York offered an extension worth approximately $200 million in total, which was significantly less than the four-year, $276 million extension he is eligible to sign.

Yet Knicks governor James Dolan also gave the team's front office a mandate to avoid the second apron, per Edwards, which makes any negotiations difficult to say the least. That so many players are eligible for the reigning champions adds yet another layer to the situation.

New York would not have won the championship last season without Towns.

The big man was an All-Star who averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game during the regular season and provided important defense on Victor Wembanyama at times during the NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

He is also 30 years old and figures to remain a productive double-double machine for the foreseeable future. And he is now a part of Knicks history as an important part of the team that won the franchise's first championship since the 1972-73 campaign.

But there is still no long-term deal in place, and the Knicks are now more focused on the start of the season than negotiating.