ESPN NBA insider says Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns are 'fully divided' after contract talks halt image
The New York Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns have been discussing a new contract for some time as both sides know decisions are looming. The veteran center is willing to take a discount, but only at a reasonable price.
The Knicks and Towns have held talks about a potential extension. If they were going to get a deal done, they had to do so before October 19.
“Failing to extend KAT before the start of the season would wipe the most intuitive contract structure off the table. KAT receiving the money he wants…and the Knicks maintaining the payroll flexibility they insist upon becomes even tougher after Oct. 19," The Athletic's Fred Katz wrote.
New York has decided to focus on the upcoming season and put contract extension negotiations with eligible players on hold.
“As an organization, our entire focus is on preparing for the upcoming season and delivering another year for our fans to be proud of. 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," a Knicks spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania.
For now, the Knicks will not be pursuing a contract extension with Towns. However, Charania reported that the organization and the veteran center are fully divided after how things have unfolded so far.
“This is the Knicks attempting to eliminate the distraction. Eliminate the growing cloud around the team… Both of these sides are fully divided,” Charania said.
This will be a situation to monitor as the season progresses and contract extension talks resume with eligible players. For now, the two sides are not seeing eye to eye, but that could change.
Towns has been vocal about wanting to stay in New York. His comments about not receiving a contract he considers valuable appear to have created tension within the organization, which has shown no urgency to get a deal done. The two sides also remain far apart on an agreement, so perhaps this break will give them an opportunity to revisit negotiations later in the season.
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