Stefan Bondy of the New York Post (subscriber link) finds it curious that there hasn’t been more talk about an extension for Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns this summer. Towns has until October 20 to add two more years to his current deal, which runs through 2026/27 with a $61MM player option for the following season.
Bondy states that he hasn’t been able to get any information about possible extension talks. Towns’ agent didn’t respond to a text regarding the subject, and team president Leon Rose almost never communicates with the media.
Bondy expects Towns to play out the remainder of his contract, possibly including the player option, before getting a new deal. His max extension would be $150MM over two years, and even though Towns is a perennial All-Star, Bondy doesn’t view him as being worth $75MM per year as teams maneuver to stay below the second apron.
Bondy also brings up several questions the Knicks might want to have answered before they consider committing that kind of money to Towns. Can he stay healthier than he did in Minnesota, will he and Jalen Brunson develop better chemistry in the offense, can he improve his pick-and-roll defense, and does he fit better as a center or a power forward?
There’s more from New York City:
- Knicks fans are expecting a trip to the NBA Finals this season and would consider anything less to be a disappointment, a survey taken by James L. Edwards of The Athletic reveals. More than 3,000 fans responded, and most are cautiously optimistic that New York will be the No. 1 seed in the East, but they’re split on the firing of Tom Thibodeau. A plurality of 37.7% agree with the move, while 29.6% oppose it and 32.7% are indifferent. Nearly 70% are withholding judgment on new head coach Mike Brown.
- Danny Wolf, the last of the Nets‘ five first-round picks this year, brings a lot of versatility to the roster, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscription required). He’s a big man who can orchestrate the offense and shoot from the outside, and he has the potential to see time at power forward and center. “He’s just so unique. I don’t want to compare him to certain players,” Summer League coach Steve Hetzel said. “He’s very unique because he can handle, he can play pick-and-roll … at Michigan, he was a primary ball-handler in pick-and-rolls. So he has a ton of skill and he can shoot the three.”
- The Nets are acquiring Haywood Highsmith from Miami, but he seems to be more of a trade chip than a long-term investment, Bondy observes in another story. Brooklyn is emphasizing the development of its young players, and there might be interest around the league in the 28-year-old Highsmith, who has a $5.6MM expiring contract, once he recovers from knee surgery.
Boston offer Simons and Hugo to Brooklyn for Highsmith, Whitehead and a 2nd rd pick
29.6% of Knicks fans are dumb.
100% of aircastle is dumb.
NY media is psycho. Most criticized tge Towns trade. Now they want an extension. Just never stops in NY. Its all about creating chaos. To have stories to see and milk all year. Specially the Post. They are not concerned about the truth. Towns D is still bad. Imo he’s not worth the contract he has.
Knicks have the biggest fan base in the world. Yet 3000 Athletic readers are telling you what you need to Know …..ok
Thibs did more than you ask for. We are use to this in NY. He got us here. So now it’s up to this regime to expand on his success. Towns is still a work in progress imo. He has only been here ONE year.
So I will give coach Brown his due. But Rose is on watch. He didn’t backup Thibs. And it shows by adjusting the bench first. Yet the biggest issue will have to play itself out. I see a trade coming it if it’s going to work itself out.
Can’t blame KAT too much when we have reams of evidence that he shouldn’t play the 5.
True – Mitch has to stay healthy for the Knicks to make the finals
Sorry but I can only see him at 5. He is too slow to play D on perimeter. And cover real 4s one on one, especially 4s today. Plus we need his rebounding. Towns is a modern day center. Unfortunately he takes plays off on D. He has played better D here than in Minny. Still not good enough. He needs a D stud at the 4. To help him and watch his back. I just can’t pay a player max money. To play OneWay. You gotta be decent or good on team D.
If you commit to Towns. Then you have to find a big Defensive PF to play next to him. Even if its 20-22 mins a game. Jonathan Issac ?????
Jonathan Isaac has been paid approximately $90M over the past six years and in that time has managed to stay on the court a little over 3000 minutes.
That kind of track record makes Joel Embiid look like an absolute workhorse on the court 😜
Well he doesn’t have the injuries Embiid has. And he has been healthy for two yrs. Which means he should be ready to go. In last two yrs he’s played 130 gms avg 16 mins. On a team that start’s Banchero. Point is he should be available. He plays the position like we need it to be played. Avgs 5.4 pts and 4.4 reb. For a former #1 pick who is healthy. Like I said we only need 20-25 mins. Means he could avg 10 and 8. Which is excellent.
He is owed 4 yrs at 14.5. Mill. Which is fine if we get the 20 mins or more. Cause the most important part is 4 Defense. You have to find players who can do it. .550% FG, .80% FT. And even though he shot .30% 3pt. He has shot .40% before and is a career.325% 3pt shooter. In other words. Well worth the look. Considering we probably get him cheap.
I’ve always been a Towns fan since his days at Kentucky, but I wouldn’t be opposed to dealing him along with other players/picks for Giannis. With Robinson at center and Bridges and OG , that defense would be insane. Almost allows Brunson to focus on offense and not pick up defensive fouls.
Respectfully, I think you’re delusional if you think Giannis wants to be under the microscope that is the Knicks fanbase and New York’s unforgiving (and sensationalist) media.
He resides in NYC. Tell me more.
The Knicks might want to have answered on KAT:
Can he stay healthier than he did in Minnesota?
NO
Will he and Jalen Brunson develop better chemistry in the offense?
NO = NBA rosters are littered with past KAT teammates who didn’t work out.
Can he improve his pick-and-roll defense?
NO = KAT has not a clue on What’s DEFENSE.
Does he fit better as a center or a power forward?
PF = Why do you think the Timberpuppies traded away the farm for Gobert?
The playoff series against Indiana exposed KAT’s inability to rotate on defense against quick switch-up offenses with perimeter depth. Not only is he too slow, but he lacks the defense instincts to see these offenses reverse to an open weak-side cutter or corner three. This pretty much relegates him to the ‘5’ , but also means Robinson plays out of position if they are on the floor at the same time.