New York Knicks Face Karl-Anthony Towns Trade Question As $200 Million Offer Falls Short

Karl-Anthony Towns' contract situation puts his long-term future with the New York Knicks in focus.© NDTV gallery

Karl-Anthony Towns' future with the New York Knicks is becoming a bigger question as contract negotiations remain unresolved. NBA insider Ian Begley believes the franchise should start checking trade possibilities if the two sides cannot reach an agreement by January. New York has reportedly offered Towns a four-year deal worth around $200 million, but the center is eligible for an extension worth up to $276 million. The gap is significant, especially after Towns helped the Knicks win their first NBA championship in 53 years. There are other contracts to consider, too, with Josh Hart also eligible for an extension and Jalen Brunson due for another deal in the future.

Ian Begley Raises Karl-Anthony Towns Trade Possibility For Knicks

Begley brought up the January timeline during an appearance on SNY's The Putback. Rather than wait until Towns' future becomes uncertain, he wants New York to understand what it could receive in a trade.

“The tricky thing though with the extension, and we've talked about this, you know, preseason is if you get into that January territory and there's no extension agreed to, what do you do for the Knicks? If you're the Knicks, I think you have to at least know the trade scenarios out there for Karl Towns,” Begley said.

“Know what you could potentially be getting back and do your homework on that because in that scenario, no extension into January, you know, then Karl-Anthony Towns could be a free agent this coming off-season, and that's not a place you want to be if you're the Knicks.”

Towns has a $61 million player option for 2027-28. Declining it would allow him to enter free agency next summer if he has not signed a new deal. The Knicks would then have to deal with the possibility of losing their starting center without a trade return.

Balancing The Payroll Around A 6-6 Start

The reported $200 million offer has drawn attention because it would pay Towns less than his current $57 million salary. The New York Post's Stefan Bondy revealed the details of the proposal.

“As The Post reported, the Knicks offered Towns a deal worth four years and about $200 million, which is $77 million less than his max,” Bondy reported. “It would also be a pay cut from his current salary of $57 million.”

The comparison with Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren has added another issue to the negotiations. An anonymous executive questioned why Towns should accept a similar deal.

“I was talking to another executive, and he said, ‘Look, their offer – around $200M for four years – that offer is what Jalen Duren is getting.' He pointed out that you cannot ask him to take what Jalen Duren is making,” an anonymous executive told Begley. “It just doesn't make sense. Two sides to the coin.”

Towns is not the only Knick waiting for a new contract. Hart is eligible for a four-year, $132 million extension, while Brunson will become eligible for another deal next year.

On Friday, Towns delivered 23 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals against Indiana. The Knicks still lost 106-104, leaving them at 6-6 after 12 games.